Field Testing Adolescent Females for Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Over-fatness and poor cardiovascular (CV) fitness are well-documented risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults, but less is known about their association with disease risk in adolescents. This study aimed to determine the relationship between anthropometrics, fitness, and CVD risk. Six anthropometric indicators of body fatness, seven measures of fitness, and seven metabolic and hemodynamic CVD risk factors were measured in a convenience sample of 28 female high school students (15-18 years of age). A tally was made of the number of factors for which each subject was outside the normal reference range (CVD risk). Correlation analyses were completed to determine the association between CVD risk and other study variables and regression analyses were completed to determine if any fitness or anthropometric variables were significant predictors of CVD risk. All anthropometric indicators of fatness were highly significantly correlated with CVD risk (P≤0.0001), while only three fitness variables reached a lower level of significance (P≤0.05). WC was the single best anthropometric or fitness predictor of the variance in CVD risk factors (r2=.742; p≤0.004). While SBP was the single best predictor of the variance in CVD risk when all study variables were considered (r2=.932; p≤0.0001). Anthropometric indicators of body fatness were more significantly associated with and predictive of CVD risk compared to fitness variables in a convenience sample of 28 female high school students. Non-invasive measures that are easily obtained in the school setting may be useful in identifying adolescent females at high risk for developing CVD

The Effects of Home-based Pilates in Healthy College-Age Females

Objectives: To quantify and determine the effects of Pilates on core endurance, hamstring flexibility, balance, body composition/mass and perceived stress level in healthy college age females. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial design. Background: Emerging research on the Pilates technique is inconclusive regarding benefits to core endurance, flexibility, balance, body mass, and perceived stress. Methods and Measures: Female college students (n=57; 18-35 years old) were randomly assigned to a Pilates group, who exercised at home with a DVD, or a control group who did not engage in Pilates practice. Core endurance, hamstring flexibility, balance, body composition and stress measurements were taken at baseline and at 10 weeks. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between groups for multidirectional standing reach test results, specifically reaching to the right and right hamstring flexibility. Conclusion: Pilates practice resulted in gains in balance and hamstring flexibility among college-aged females. Limitations in this study including the unknown level of activity of the control group warrant further investigation. Additional research is needed to determine if Pilates has a significant effect on core endurance, body composition and perceived stress level

A Comparison of Two Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Programs in Females with Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Pilot Study

Background: Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a condition affecting millions of Americans. Few studies have assessed the benefits of different exercises involved in pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT). Purposte: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a traditional PFMT program to an assisted pelvic floor muscle training (APFMT) program that included contraction of hip musculature

The Association between Critical Thinking and Scholastic Aptitude on First-time Pass Rate of the National Physical Therapy Examination

Objectives: 1) To investigate the relationships among critical thinking (CT) abilities, overall academic performance in the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) program as measured by cumulative grade point average (GPA), and National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) licensure scores, and 2) To determine if NPTE scores were significantly different between groups of students who were classified as having low, moderate or high CT abilities. Background: It is well-established that physical therapy practice requires good clinical reasoning skills. Passage of the NPTE is required for licensure. Research to date has been mixed as to whether CT abilities or GPA can predict success on national board licensure examinations such as the NPTE. The conflicting results may be partially due to weak research methodologies, uncontrolled confounders, and the use of non-standardized assessment instruments. Methods and Measures: A convenience sample of 91 DPT students completed a standard assessment of CT abilities three times. Repeated measure (RM) general linear model (GLM) tests were run to determine if mean California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) scores changed significantly over the course of the DPT program. A Pearson’s correlation matrix was constructed to investigate the relationships among NPTE scores, GPA, and CT. A univariate GLM test was run to determine if there was a statistically significant difference in mean NPTE scores between low, medium, and high CCTST groups. Results: Complete sets of the three CCTST scores were available for 69 students, and NPTE scores were available for 73 graduates. The strongest correlation with the first-time NPTE score was the GPA (r = 0.735, p = 0.001), followed by the CCTST score at Measurement 1 (r = 0.413, p = 0.0001). Graduates who were classified as having low CT abilities had a 100% failure rate on the first attempt for the NPTE, and scored significantly lower on the exam compared to graduates with moderate or high CT abilities (615.33, 634.6, and 652.43, respectively p = 0.0005). Conclusion: Implementing pedagogical practices that foster CT abilities and/or using a CCTST score of 18 or greater as DPT program entry criterion may equate to greater first-time NPTE pass rates for program graduates

Investigating the Associations between Core Strength, Postural Control and Fine Motor Performance in Children

Study design: Quantitative design including statistical analysis. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if there is an association between core strength, postural control, fine motor precision and integration, specifically in typical children in the first and third grades, ages 6-10. The secondary purpose of this study was to determine if there was an association between BMI and fine and gross motor ability in this same population. Background: The relationship between core strength, postural control and fine motor skills in children is not well understood. The assumption that trunk stability and control are necessary for the maturation of manual dexterity has influenced the development of therapeutic treatment methods. This is based on the idea that postural control and balance are the ability of the body to maintain its position in space for the purpose of stability. Methods and measures: 113 children were tested using the strength, balance, precision, and integration subtests of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, second edition (BOT-2). Age, height, weight, percent body fat, and activity information were obtained. Results: An association was found between the subscales of strength and integration, integration and precision, and precision and balance. Significant associations were also found between BMI and the gross motor subtests. Conclusion: This study was among the first to examine the association between core strength, postural control, and fine motor skills. Further research is needed to determine if fine and gross motor skill attainment is correlated when a specific intervention is administered

The Effects of an 8 vs. 16 Week Yoga Practice on Balance, Strength, Flexibility, and Mindfulness in Children Ages 4-10 Years: A Pilot Study

Yoga has been shown to have positive benefits in: Improving cardiovascular, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and pulmonary function in ages 0-21 years and improving mindfulness to manage pain and anxiety in adults. There is limited evidence regarding the use of yoga to improve balance, strength, flexibility, and mindfulness in children ages 4-10 years.https://ecommons.udayton.edu/dpt_symposium/1032/thumbnail.jp

Bal-A-Vis-X intervention to improve upper limb coordination in children with disability: A Pilot Study

Purpose/Hypothesis: Balance/Auditory/Vision exercises (Bal-A-Vis-X) consists of a series of exercises using sand-filled bags and racquet balls. Most of the exercises are completed while standing on a rocker board and heavily rooted in rhythm. The rhythmic patterns are utilized to facilitate focused concentration, crossing midline, motor planning, right/left awareness, eye-hand coordination, balance, bilateral coordination, body and spatial awareness. Only a few published studies have explored Bal-A-Vis-X as an intervention in therapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of Bal-A-Vis-X to improve upper limb coordination in children with motor delays. Number of Subjects: Fifteen children with motor delays enrolled, ages 4 to 16 years (mean 9.73 years), have completed to date. Diagnoses included Down syndrome, autism, developmental delay, cerebral palsy, idiopathic toe walking, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and congenital myopathy. Methods and Materials: Participants were assigned to a control or intervention group. All participants received physical therapy for 60 minutes once a week for 12 sessions. Each session for the intervention group (n=9) included Bal-A-Vis-X training for 20 minutes. Children in the control group (n=6) received intervention for the same length of time without Bal-A-Vis X. The upper limb coordination subtest of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, 2nd edition (BOT-2) was administered prior to and at the conclusion of 12 sessions. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Change within the Bal-A-Vis X intervention and control groups was analyzed with the Wilcoxon Signed Rank test. Change between the groups was analyzed with the Mann Whitney U test. An a priori power analysis was utilized to establish significance at ɑ ≤ 0.05. Results: Data analysis found a significant difference (p=.007) in pre- and post- BOT-2 upper limb coordination point scores within the intervention group. No significant difference (p=0.595) was found in pre- and post- BOT-2 upper limb coordination point scores within the control group. A significant change score (p=0.026) was found for the BOT-2 point scores between the control and intervention groups pre- and post-physical therapy intervention. Conclusions: The participants in this study showed improvements in upper limb coordination after 12 sessions of physical therapy intervention that included a consistent dose of Bal-A-Vis-X training. The small sample size limits generalizing this finding to a specific patient population. Additional studies are needed within specific patient populations and to determine Bal-A-Vis-X dosing parameters. Clinical Relevance: Bal-A-Vis-X training has potential as an intervention for therapists to improve upper extremity coordination in children.https://ecommons.udayton.edu/dpt_symposium/1037/thumbnail.jp

Test Items in the Complete and Short Forms of the BOT-2 that Contribute Substantially to Motor Performance Assessments in Typically Developing Children 6-10 Years of Age

Objectives: Determine the magnitude of association between individual subtest items of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, second edition (BOT-2), and the respective total subtest scores and to review items on the BOT-2 Short Form. Background: The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, second edition (BOT-2), is a test used to measure gross motor proficiency in both typically developing children and children with developmental disabilities between the ages of four and twenty-one. The BOT-2 Short Form consists of fourteen test items proportionally selected from the subtests of the Complete Form. It can be used as a screening tool and takes less time to administer. Methods and Measures: A convenience sample of forty-four children (twenty-one male, twenty-three Female; six to ten years), who were enrolled at a Midwestern elementary school, participated. Data was collected in one session. The BOT-2 subtests of Manual Dexterity, Bilateral Coordination, Running Speed and Agility, and Upper Limb Coordination were administered to subjects. Subjects progressed through the subtests in random order and each subtest was graded and administered by a consistent person. Means and standard deviations were calculated for the scores on the individual subtest items. Pearson correlation tests were run to determine the magnitude of the association between the individual subtest items and the respective subtest total score; the magnitude of association was assessed to see if the items that make up the Short Form were strongly associated with their subtest total score. Results: All items in the Manual Dexterity, Running Speed and Agility, and Upper Limb Coordination subtest were significantly correlated (p \u3c 0.05) with their overall subtest score. Two items in the Bilateral Coordination subtest were not significantly correlated with the overall subtest score, one that was included on the Short Form. Conclusions: Most items on the BOT-2 subtests administered were significantly correlated with their overall respective subtest scores. However, revisions to the short form may be needed in order to include more items that are all significantly correlated with their respective subtest scores

Effects of Yoga on Arm Volume among Women with Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema: A Pilot Study

Lymphedema affects 3–58% of survivors of breast cancer and can result in upper extremity impairments. Exercise can be beneficial in managing lymphedema. Yoga practice has been minimally studied for its effects on breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL). The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of yoga on arm volume, quality of life (QOL), self-reported arm function, and hand grip strength in women with BCRL. Six women with BCRL participated in modified Hatha yoga 3×/week for 8 weeks. Compression sleeves were worn during yoga sessions. Arm volume, QOL, self-reported arm function, and hand grip strength were measured at baseline, half-way, and at the conclusion of yoga practice. Arm volume significantly decreased from baseline (2423.3 ml ± 597.2) to final measures (2370.8 ml ± 577.2) (p = .02). No significant changes in QOL (p = .12), self-reported arm function (p = .34), or hand grip strength (p = .26) were found. Yoga may be beneficial in the management of lymphedema

The Effects of Yoga on Balance, Strength, Flexibility, and Mindfulness in Typical Children Ages 4-9 Years

Yoga improves a variety of impairments in typical pediatric populations: cardiovascular, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, and pulmonary conditions, balance, strength, and flexibility. Yoga improves mindfulness in adult populations, and emerging evidence shows a similar effect among pediatric populations.https://ecommons.udayton.edu/dpt_symposium/1024/thumbnail.jp