Muscle activation, elbow angle and wrist guard effects on wrist and elbow response following simulated forward falls

The purposes of this study were to: (i) determine the acceleration response of the forearm at the wrist and elbow; (ii) determine the efficacy of wrist guards by measuring the impact outcome at the wrist and elbow, and; (iii) determine the effects of muscle activation and elbow angles on the wrist and elbow acceleration characteristics. A seated human pendulum was designed to simulate a forward fall and produce an impact to the hands of 28 subjects. Two surface accelerometers measured the wrist and elbow acceleration characteristics in response to four muscle activation levels two elbow angles and a wrist guard. The results suggest that wrist guards are capable of absorbing or redirecting the initial impact force. Furthermore, the increase in muscle activation level and the natural elbow angle, disabled the segments ability to attenuate the shock wave initiated at the hand as measured by the acceleration response at the elbow

The Effectiveness of Wrist Guards for Reducing Wrist and Elbow Accelerations Resulting From Simulated Forward Falls

The effectiveness of wrist guards and modifying elbow posture for reducing impact-induced accelerations at the wrist and elbow, for the purpose of decreasing upper extremity injury risk during forward fall arrest, has not yet been documented in living people. A seated human pendulum was used to simulate the impact conditions consistent with landing on outstretched arms during a forward fall. Accelerometers measured the wrist and elbow response characteristics of 28 subjects following impacts with and without a wrist guard, and with elbows straight or slightly bent. Overall, the wrist guard was very effective, with significant reductions in peak accelerations at the elbow in the axial and off-axis directions, and in the off-axis direction at the wrist by almost 50%. The effect of elbow posture as an intervention strategy was mixed; a change in magnitude and direction of the acceleration response was documented at the elbow, while there was little effect at the wrist. Unique evidence was presented in support of wrist guard use in activities like in-line skating where impacts to the hands are common. The elbow response clearly shows that more proximal anatomical structures also need to be monitored when assessing the effectiveness of injury prevention strategies

Lateral Compartment Contact Pressures Do Not Increase After Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis and Subsequent Subtotal Meniscectomy

© The Author(s) 2019. Background: Modified Lemaire lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) has been proposed as a method of addressing persistent anterolateral rotatory laxity after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). However, concerns remain regarding the potential for increasing lateral compartment contact pressures. Purpose: To investigate changes in tibiofemoral joint contact pressures after isolated ACLR and combined ACLR plus LET with varying states of a lateral meniscal injury. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knee specimens (mean age, 60.0 ± 3.4 years) were utilized for this study, with specimens potted and loaded on a materials testing machine. A pressure sensor was inserted into the lateral compartment of the tibiofemoral joint, and specimens were loaded at 0°, 30°, 60°, and 90° of flexion in the following states: (1) baseline (ACL- and anterolateral ligament–deficient), (2) ACLR, (3) ACLR with LET, (4) partial meniscectomy (removal of 50% of the posterior third of the lateral meniscus), (5) subtotal meniscectomy (removal of 100% of the posterior third of the lateral meniscus), and (6) LET release (LETR). Mean contact pressure, peak pressure, and center of pressure were analyzed using 1-way repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: Across all flexion angles, there was no statistically significant increase in the mean contact pressure or peak pressure after ACLR plus LET with and without lateral meniscectomy compared with isolated ACLR. There was a significant reduction in the mean contact pressure, from baseline, after subtotal meniscectomy (69.72% ± 19.27% baseline; P =.04) and LETR (65.81% ± 13.40% baseline; P =.003) at 0° and after the addition of LET to ACLR at 30° (61.20% ± 23.08% baseline; P =.031). The center of pressure was observed to be more anterior after partial (0°, 30°) and subtotal (0°, 60°) meniscectomy and LETR (0°, 30°, 60°). Conclusion: Under the loading conditions of this study, LET did not significantly alter lateral compartment contact pressures when performed in conjunction with ACLR in the setting of an intact or posterior horn–deficient lateral meniscus. Clinical Relevance: This study should provide surgeons with the confidence that it is safe to perform LET in this manner in conjunction with ACLR without altering lateral compartment pressures, regardless of the status of the lateral meniscus

Perceptions of Agriculture and the Economy in Nonmetropolitan Nebraska: 2017 Nebraska Rural Poll Results

Conclusion Most rural Nebraskans view their economic well-being as being dependent on agriculture. Over three-fourths feel their economic well-being is at least somewhat tied to agriculture. Economic dependence on agriculture has changed very little over the past seven years. The proportions reported in 2017 are almost identical to those from 2010. Similarly, most rural Nebraskans believe the economic well-being of their community is very much dependent on agriculture. Overall, over nine in ten rural Nebraskans feel their community’s economic well-being is at least somewhat tied to agriculture. Most rural Nebraskans say their job/income security is about the same as it was a year ago. The concern about job/income security was greater during the 2009 national economic recession compared to this downturn in the agricultural economy. However, most rural Nebraskans are uncertain they would find the kind of job they are looking for in their community. The level of uncertainty of finding the kind of job they would be looking for in their community was higher in 2009 than this year. This uncertainty was higher for persons living in or near smaller communities compared to those living in or near larger communities. Finally, many rural Nebraskans believe the current downturn in agriculture is about the same as other agriculture downturns of the past. Residents of the Panhandle are more likely than residents of other regions of the state to say the current downturn in agriculture is worse or much worse than previous downturns

Perceptions of Agriculture and the Economy in Nonmetropolitan Nebraska: 2017 Nebraska Rural Poll Results

Conclusion Most rural Nebraskans view their economic well-being as being dependent on agriculture. Over three-fourths feel their economic well-being is at least somewhat tied to agriculture. Economic dependence on agriculture has changed very little over the past seven years. The proportions reported in 2017 are almost identical to those from 2010. Similarly, most rural Nebraskans believe the economic well-being of their community is very much dependent on agriculture. Overall, over nine in ten rural Nebraskans feel their community’s economic well-being is at least somewhat tied to agriculture. Most rural Nebraskans say their job/income security is about the same as it was a year ago. The concern about job/income security was greater during the 2009 national economic recession compared to this downturn in the agricultural economy. However, most rural Nebraskans are uncertain they would find the kind of job they are looking for in their community. The level of uncertainty of finding the kind of job they would be looking for in their community was higher in 2009 than this year. This uncertainty was higher for persons living in or near smaller communities compared to those living in or near larger communities. Finally, many rural Nebraskans believe the current downturn in agriculture is about the same as other agriculture downturns of the past. Residents of the Panhandle are more likely than residents of other regions of the state to say the current downturn in agriculture is worse or much worse than previous downturns

Trust in Media, Institutions, and Health Information in Metropolitan Nebraska: 2021 Nebraska Metro Poll Results

Overall, most metropolitan Nebraskans have confidence in their local institutions (public safety agencies in their community, public schools in their community, and voting and election systems in their county). However, many have very little confidence in many national institutions (the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives and the Presidency) as well as the Governor. Metropolitan Nebraskans most trust information received from friends/family/ acquaintances, local news sources (TV and newspapers), public sources (PBS and public radio) and state newspapers. They least trust information from social networking sites, Internet blogs, and Fox News. Most metropolitan Nebraskans trust local health professionals for reliable information on the coronavirus. Over nine in ten trust their doctor or other health care professional either some or a lot and just over three-quarters trust their local health department for reliable information on the coronavirus. At least seven in ten trust the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and state public health officials. Most metropolitan Nebraskans favor having health professionals being the primary authority for public health decisions. Just over four in ten support having local health departments being the primary authority for public health decisions while one-third favor having state health departments as the primary authority. Less than one in ten metropolitan Nebraskans think either local or state government should be the primary authority for public health decisions

Life in Nonmetropolitan Nebraskan Communities: 2021 Nebraska Rural Poll Results

Rural Nebraskans are less positive about the current change and expected future change in their communities this year. The proportion believing their community has changed for the better has typically been greater than the proportion believing it has changed for the worse. However, this year the proportion believing their community changed for the worse was slightly more than the proportion believing it had changed for the better (similar to what occurred in 2003 and 2009). The proportion viewing positive change in their community sharply declined from last year. The proportion believing their community has stayed the same increased sharply. Despite that, rural Nebraskans are positive about their community by many different measures. Most rural Nebraskans rate their community favorably on its social dimensions, as friendly, trusting and supportive. Most rural Nebraskans also say it would be difficult to leave their community and have a positive attachment to their community. Finally, most rural Nebraskans disagree that their community is powerless to control its future. Differences in perceptions of their community are evident by community size. Residents of larger communities are more likely than residents of smaller communities to say their community has changed for the better during the past year and will be a better place to live ten years from now. However, persons living in or near the smallest communities are more likely than persons living in or near larger communities to rate their community as friendly, trusting and supportive. And, persons living in or near larger communities are more likely than persons living in or near smaller communities to get what they need in their community. However, persons living in or near the smallest communities are more likely than persons living in or near larger communities to have an attachment to their community. Except for some services that are largely unavailable in rural communities, rural Nebraskans are generally satisfied with basic community services and amenities. However, the proportion of rural Nebraskans satisfied with many social services and entertainment services has decreased during the past 20 years. Declines in satisfaction levels across the past 20 years occur with nursing home care, medical care services, senior centers, mental health services and retail shopping. Some rural Nebraskans say that transgender people, gays and lesbians, recent immigrants to the U.S. and liberals are discriminated against in their community

Economic Development in Nonmetropolitan Nebraska: Internet Use, Nature-Based Tourism, Federal Tax Policy and Workforce Development: 2018 Nebraska Rural Poll Results

Conclusion The proportion of rural Nebraskans accessing the Internet using their cell phone has increased compared to two years ago. But, the proportion subscribing to high-speed Internet service at home remained stable during the past two years. Persons living in or near the smallest communities are less likely than persons living in or near larger communities to have high-speed Internet service at home. Not many rural Nebraskans report significant limitations from their home Internet service on their ability to do most tasks. At least one in ten report being limited significantly or not being able to play real time video games or stream online video content such as Netflix. However, persons living in or near smaller communities experience more limitations than do those living in or near larger communities. And, regional differences also occur, with the residents of both the Northeast and Southeast regions experiencing more limitations performing such tasks as streaming online video content, playing real time video games and videoconferencing. Most rural Nebraskans are using the Internet to save money by price matching, finding bargains online, etc. Many are also using it to generate income by occasionally buying, selling or trading items online. Seven percent of rural Nebraskans estimate the impact of saving money as $1,000 or more annually. For some items, the economic impact of the Internet is greater in smaller communities. Persons living in or near smaller communities are more likely than persons living in or near larger communities to have used the Internet to earn money by running and growing a home-based business and making the family farm more efficient and/or profitable. Persons with occupations in agriculture are also generating income by running and growing a home-based business, making the family farm more efficient and/or profitable, and regularly selling online. Most rural Nebraskans are aware of the following nature-based activities for tourists in or near their community: biking, hunting and fishing, hiking/walking trails and camping. Many are also aware of kayaking, canoeing or other river activities. Overall, many rural Nebraskans are unsure of the expected impacts of the federal tax bill. At least three in ten indicated they don’t know how the bill will impact all of the items listed. And, opinions are mixed on the expected impact of the federal tax bill on their household’s tax burden. At least three in ten rural Nebraskans think the services provided by government and upper income Americans’ tax burden will decrease as a result of the federal tax bill. Over one-third think the income gap between the upper and middle income groups and the federal deficit will increase as a result of the bill. Many rural Nebraskans have changed jobs and careers in the past ten years. Most rural Nebraskans expect to be in their same job ten years from now or until retirement. Few rural Nebraskans expect to switch careers in the next ten years. Most rural Nebraskans think individuals, colleges and universities, community colleges and primary (K–12) education have a lot of responsibility for job training or retraining

Life in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Nebraskan Communities [Research Brief]

Provides a synopsis of the report on life in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan Nebraskan communities by Nebraska Rural Poll researchers. Includes details about community change, community social attributes, community powerlessness, satisfaction with community services and amenities, attachment to the community, discrimination in the community, plans to leave the community, and individual and community political views. The Nebraska Rural Poll sampled residents from non-metropolitan counties and regional trade centers in the state. The Nebraska Metro Poll sampled the seven counties that comprise the Lincoln and Omaha metropolitan areas. Both polls sent four mailings regarding or containing the surveys in the spring of 2021 and had an online response option

Media, Institutions and Voting: Perceptions of Nonmetropolitan Nebraskans: 2017 Nebraska Rural Poll Results

Conclusion Rural Nebraskans most trust information received from local news sources (TV and newspapers) and public sources (PBS and public radio). They least trust information from social networking sites and Internet blogs. Most rural Nebraskans are somewhat or very confident in their ability to recognize news that is made up. Most rural Nebraskans have confidence in their local institutions (public safety agencies in their community; public schools in their community; and voting and election systems in their county). On the other hand, over one-quarter of rural Nebraskans have very little confidence in the following national institutions: U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and the Presidency and executive branch of government. Most rural Nebraskans support early voting, requiring all voters to provide photo identification at their polling place in order to cast a ballot and automatic voter registration. Almost one-half support online voter registration. Most rural Nebraskans believe both votes being cast by people not eligible to vote and eligible voters not being allowed to cast a vote were either a minor or major problem in last year’s election. Over one-third of rural Nebraskans believe votes being cast by people not eligible to vote was a major problem. Over four in ten believe it was a minor problem. Fewer rural Nebraskans perceive eligible voters not being allowed to cast a vote as a problem. Two in ten believe this was a major problem and just under four in ten think it was a minor problem