Australian University Nursing and Allied Health Students’ and Staff Physical Activity Promotion Preparedness and Knowledge: A Pre-Post Study Using an Educational Intervention

The promotion of physical activity (PA) by health professionals is a key strategy to increase PA levels in the population. In this study, we investigated PA promotion, preparedness, and knowledge among university nursing and allied health students and staff, as well as PA resource usage within curricula, before and after an educational intervention. Students and staff from 13 health disciplines at one Australian university were invited to complete an online survey, and a curriculum audits were conducted before and after PA teaching resources were promoted by academic PA champions (n = 14). A total of 299 students and 43 staff responded to the survey pre-intervention, and 363 and 32 responded to the post-intervention, respectively. PA promotion role perception (≥93%) and confidence to provide general PA advice (≥70%) were high throughout the study. Knowledge of PA guidelines was poor (3–10%). Students of physiotherapy, sport and exercise science, as well as more active students, were more likely to be aware of the PA guidelines (p < 0.05). Over 12 months, PA promotion preparedness and knowledge did not change significantly, nor was there a change in the amount of PA content delivered, despite a significant increase in the use of the teaching resources across a number of disciplines (p = 0.007). Future research should be carried out to investigate the implementation of the resources over time and to develop additional strategies for PA promotion and education scaffolded across curricula

Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA): What do we know about its incidence and impact?

BACKGROUND: Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) has been recognised as the compensable term for any shoulder injury that may result from an improper vaccination technique since 2017, however, its incidence and impact remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: To examine knowledge of SIRVA through reported cases, determine SIRVA incidence related to COVID-19 vaccinations, and investigate recovery rates. METHODS: Six pharmacovigilance agencies in the United States of America (USA), Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, and New Zealand were systematically search to identify all reported cases of SIRVA between January 2017 to July 2021. Primary outcome measures were SIRVA case reports. Secondary outcome measures included recovery status as well as vaccine received, age, and sex. SIRVA-related outcome measures were retrieved between July 18th and July 22nd 2021, with UK data received via personal correspondence. RESULTS: Retrospective analysis yielded 505 SIRVA cases since 2017, with 330 (65%) of cases reported from January to July 2021. Sub-analysis, using COVID-19 data of 189 SIRVA cases from 891,906,986 vaccinations, estimated incidence to be 2 per 10 million. 32 cases (7%) had recovered from symptoms at the time of reporting, with 311 (62%) reported as ‘not recovered’, and 162 cases (32%) ‘unknown’. Females represented 75% of reported cases. CONCLUSION: SIRVA case report numbers and incidence from COVID-19 data, compared with prior evidence, raises questions around health practitioner knowledge and reporting accuracy of SIRVA. Recovery rates are poorly understood. A global consensus definition of SIRVA and more transparent and routine reporting is required. The disproportionate representation of females is of concern with no known reasons for this disparity. Further research is needed on SIRVA knowledge in healthcare practitioners, reporting rates, incidence, management, and long-term outcomes for those impacted. Pharmacist vaccinators should be aware of their role in preventing SIRVA and be active in its detection

Hardness and posting of foot orthoses modify plantar contact area, plantar pressure, and perceived comfort when cycling

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of hardness and posting of orthoses on plantar profile and perceived comfort and support during cycling. Design: A repeated measures study with randomised order of orthoses, hardness, and posting conditions. Methods: Twenty-three cyclists cycled at a cadence of 90rpm and a perceived exertion rating of twelve. Contoured soft and hard orthoses with or without a medial forefoot or lateral forefoot post were evaluated. Plantar contact area, mean pressure and peak pressure were measured for nine plantar regions using the pedar-X system and represented as a percentage of the total (CA%, MP%, and PP% respectively). Perceived comfort and support was rated on a visual analogue scale. Results: The softer orthosis significantly increased CA% (p = 0.014) across the midfoot and heel with a decrease in the toe region and forefoot. MP% (p = 0.034) and PP% (p = 0.012) were significantly increased at the mid and lateral forefoot with reductions in MP% at the midfoot and in PP% at the hallux and toes. Forefoot posting significantly increased CA% (p = 0.018) at the toes and forefoot and decreased it at the heel. PP% was significantly altered (p = 0.013) based on posting position. Lateral forefoot posting significantly decreased heel comfort (p = 0.036). Conclusion: When cycling, a soft, contoured orthosis increased contact across the midfoot and heel, modulating forefoot and midfoot plantar pressures but not altering comfort or support. Forefoot postings significantly modified contact areas and plantar pressures and reduced comfort at the heel

Hardness and posting of foot orthoses modify plantar contact area, plantar pressure, and perceived comfort when cycling

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of hardness and posting of orthoses on plantar profile and perceived comfort and support during cycling. Design: A repeated measures study with randomised order of orthoses, hardness, and posting conditions. Methods: Twenty-three cyclists cycled at a cadence of 90 rpm and a perceived exertion rating of twelve. Contoured soft and hard orthoses with or without a medial forefoot or lateral forefoot post were evaluated. Plantar contact area, mean pressure and peak pressure were measured for nine plantar regions using the pedar®-X system and represented as a percentage of the total (CA%, MP%, and PP% respectively). Perceived comfort and support was rated on a visual analogue scale. Results: The softer orthosis significantly increased CA% (p = 0.014) across the midfoot and heel with a decrease in the toe region and forefoot. MP% (p = 0.034) and PP% (p = 0.012) were significantly increased at the mid and lateral forefoot with reductions in MP% at the midfoot and in PP% at the hallux and toes. Forefoot posting significantly increased CA% (p = 0.018) at the toes and forefoot and decreased it at the heel. PP% was significantly altered (p = 0.013) based on posting position. Lateral forefoot posting significantly decreased heel comfort (p = 0.036). Conclusion: When cycling, a soft, contoured orthosis increased contact across the midfoot and heel, modulating forefoot and midfoot plantar pressures but not altering comfort or support. Forefoot postings significantly modified contact areas and plantar pressures and reduced comfort at the heel

Contoured in-shoe foot orthoses increase mid-foot plantar contact area when compared with a flat insert during cycling

Objectives: To determine the effect of contouring of an in-shoe foot orthosis on plantar contact area and surface pressure, as well as perceived comfort and support at the foot-orthosis interface during stationary cycling

The Biomechanics Research and Innovation Challenge: Development, Implementation, Uptake, and Reflections on the Inaugural Program

Biomechanics as a discipline is ideally placed to increase awareness and participation of girls and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. A nationwide Biomechanics and Research Innovation Challenge (BRInC) centered on mentoring and role modeling was developed to engage high school girls (mentees) and early-mid-career women (mentors) in the field of biomechanics through the completion of a 100-day research and/or innovation project. This manuscript describes the development, implementation, and uptake of the inaugural BRInC program and synthesizes the research and innovation projects undertaken, providing a framework for adoption of this program within the global biomechanics community. Eighty-seven high school girls in years 9 and 10 (age range: 14–16 y) were mentored in teams (n = 17) by women in biomechanics (n = 24). Using a design thinking approach, teams generated solutions to biomechanics-based problem(s)/research question(s). Eight key reflections on program strengths, as well as areas for improvement and planned changes for future iterations of the BRInC program, are outlined. These key reflections highlight the innovation, impact, and scalability of the program; the importance of a program framework and effective communication tools; and implementation of strategies to sustain the program as well as the importance of diversity and building a sense of community.</p