ARE PELVIS AND LOWER EXTREMITY JOINT ANGLES DURING CLINICAL FUNCTIONAL TESTS RELATED TO ANGLES DURING MORE DYNAMIC RUNNING AND DROP JUMP TASKS?

This study investigated whether peak joint angles during clinical lower extremity functional tests (Small Knee Bend [SKB], Single Leg SKB, Lunge and Hop Lunge) were related to peak angles during more dynamic landing tasks (Running and Drop Jump). Peak three-dimensional angles were quantified for each movement for 25 uninjured adults (22 ±4 years) and 23 uninjured young athletes (11 ±1 years) using a nine camera motion analysis system. In young athletes Pearson correlations between SKB and Drop Jump were moderate to very large (r=0.39 to 0.87). In adults and young athletes correlations between SKB, Single Leg SKB, Lunge and Hop Lunge with Running were moderate to very large (r=0.45 to 0.90). Clinical lower extremity functional screening tests are useful for estimating dynamic lower extremity alignment in adults and young athletes

INCREASES IN JOINT RANGE OF MOTION WITH THE BODYWALLTM SYSTEM

Flexibility has important implications in terms of sporting performance, health and fitness, and general movement function. The BodywallTM is a new training tool developed to help improve joint range of motion. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the BodywallTM system in improving joint range of motion. Forty-five subjects from the general active population were assigned to one of three groups (BodywallTM stretching; control stretching; no stretching) and measured for joint range of motion before and after a six-week intervention period. The two stretching groups both produced significant increases in joint range of motion, with the BodywallTM group showing greater improvement. No changes in range of motion were seen in the non-stretching group

EFFECTS OF GYMNASTICS TRAINING ON PHYSICAL FUNCTION IN CHILDREN

This study assessed the effects of one hour per week of gymnastics training over 9 weeks on seven physical function variables in children aged 4-9. Of the total 205 children measured pre-gymnastics training, 41 boys and 62 girls completed post-testing measurements. Pre- to post-intervention change scores showed there were beneficial effects for the 30-s sit-up test for abdominal strength (17% increase), sit and reach test for lumbar and hamstring flexibility (6.4% increase), plate tapping test for upper limb speed and coordination (5.8% improvement), and vertical jump test for lower limb power (4.6% increase). The tables of age and gender normative ranges produced should be helpful for practitioners conducting similar physical function testing of children 4-9 years

High Sport Specialization Is Associated With More Musculoskeletal Injuries in Canadian High School Students

Objective: To describe levels of sport specialization in Canadian high school students and investigate whether sport specialization and/or sport participation volume is associated with the history of musculoskeletal injury and/or concussion.Design: Cross-sectional study.Setting: High schools, Alberta, Canada.Participants: High school students (14-19 years) participating in various sports.Independent Variables: Level of sport specialization (high, moderate, low) and sport participation volume (hours per week and months per year).Main Outcome Measures: Twelve-month injury history (musculoskeletal and concussion).Results: Of the 1504 students who completed the survey, 31% were categorized as highly specialized (7.5% before the age of 12 years). Using multivariable, negative, binomial regression (adjusted for sex, age, total yearly training hours, and clustering by school), highly specialized students had a significantly higher musculoskeletal injury rate [incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.07-1.73] but not lower extremity injury or concussion rate, compared with low specialization students. Participating in one sport for more than 8 months of the year significantly increased the musculoskeletal injury rate (IRR = 1.27, 95% CI, 1.02-1.58). Increased training hours significantly increased the musculoskeletal injury rate (IRR = 1.18, 95% CI, 1.13-1.25), lower extremity injury rate (IRR = 1.16, 95% CI, 1.09-1.24), and concussion rate (IRR = 1.31, 95% CI, 1.24-1.39).Conclusions: Approximately one-third of Canadian high school students playing sports were categorized as highly specialized. The musculoskeletal injury rate was higher for high sport specialization students compared with low sport specialization students. Musculoskeletal injuries and concussion were also more common in students who train more and spend greater than 8 months per year in one sport

Physiotherapy visual assessment of dynamic alignment during lower extremity functional screening tests

Physiotherapist visual assessment of lower extremity dynamic alignment during functional screening tests is common when assessing clients for risk of injury and during rehabilitation. However the reliability and validity of visual assessment for several functional tests has not been reported, and for other tests needs clarification. The aims of this thesis were to investigate: 1) reliability of kinematics during lower extremity functional screening tests and their association with function (running and landing); and 2) reliability and validity of visual assessment of dynamic alignment during functional tests. Three-dimensional (3D) and/or two-dimensional (2D) kinematics were measured in healthy adults and young athletes during small knee bend (SKB), lunge, hop lunge, step-down and drop jump functional tests. Within-day (ICC ≥0.85) and between-days (ICC ≥0.60) reliability was acceptable for the majority of kinematics. Associations between functional test kinematics and kinematics during running and landing were moderate to very large. Physiotherapists with a range of experience visually rated dynamic alignment during functional tests using segmental and overall body approaches and dichotomous and ordinal scales. Mean intra-rater agreement was moderate to good [Agreement Coefficient 1 (AC1): 0.39 to 0.80] and inter-rater agreement fair to good (AC1: 0.22 to 0.71). Clinical experience, the use of a dichotomous scale and rating the knee position relative to the foot all improved agreement. Agreement on an overall rating was similar to segmental ratings. In young athletes, sensitivity (≥80%) and specificity (≥50%) were acceptable for visual ratings of SKB (double and single leg) but not drop jumps when compared to expert consensus ratings (aided by video slow motion). Experience and slower test velocity improved rating accuracy when rating young athletes [Diagnostic Odds Ratio (DOR): 1.6 to 4.9 times better]. Expert consensus ratings differentiated young athletes with different 2D kinematics (very likely to almost certainly) and 3D hip kinematics (likely to very likely) but not 3D knee abduction. The association between 2D and 3D kinematics during SKB and drop jumps in young athletes ranged from small to very large. Kinematics during lower extremity functional screening tests show sufficient reliability and link to function. Physiotherapist visual rating of dynamic alignment during these tests provides reliable and valid information that should assist in the clinical decision making process