A Comparison of Constrained and Unconstrained Upper Quarter Y-Balance Tests Performance in the Adult Active Population

Common screening tools for upper extremity functionality tend to focus only on power, speed, and/or stability of the shoulder. Previous research studies validated the reliability of the Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (UQYBT) as a clinical tool to measure unilateral upper extremity function, dynamics, as well as indirectly thoracic mobility. The distinctiveness of this test is the combination of shoulder girdle mobility and stability, core stability, thoracic rotation, and overall muscles strength to reach as far as possible without losing balance in the single arm stance position. Thus, measuring upper body strength and thoracic rotation may predict performance. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the performance of physically active individuals in two variations of the UQYBT, constrained and unconstrained, and to measure the relation of upper body strength and trunk mobility with the UQYBT reach scores. METHODS: Five male (31.2±9.0 years, 1.73±.02 m, 78.8±7.0 kg) and five female (24.4±.8 years, 1.67±.06 m, 71.4±2.7 kg) college students participated in two testing sessions. Participants completed a maximal push-up test and a maximal seated trunk rotation mobility test. During the second session, participants performed the Constrained UQYBT (participant keeps the push-up position) and the Unconstrained variation in which it was allowed to flex elbow of supporting arm and flex the hip when reaching in any direction. For each test, subjects completed three reaches in medial, inferolateral, and superolateral directions. Maximal reach scores in each direction were identified and composite scores were calculated for the two UQYBTs. MANOVA was used to identify differences in reach scores between the Constrained and Unconstrained UQYBTs, significance level was set to .05. Pearson correlation was used to identify relations between maximal push-up score and maximal trunk rotation range of motion (ROM) with the UQYBT reach scores. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed for all reach scores between the Constrained and Unconstrained UQYBTs. Unconstrained UQYBT had higher reach score scores than the Constrained UQYBT in the medial (119±9% vs 100±7%, p-value\u3c.001), inferolateral (110±14% vs 80±10%, p-value\u3c.001), and superolateral (82±13% vs 73±13%, p-value=.042) directions, and in the composite score (103±10% vs 84±8%, p-value\u3c.001). Moderate to strong positive correlations were observed between maximal trunk rotation ROM and most reach scores in Constrained and Unconstrained UQYBTs. The correlation coefficients were between .331 to .605. Moderate positive coefficient (r=.365) was identified between max push-ups and Constrained Inferolateral reach. In contrast, strong negative correlation (r=-584) was identified between Unconstrained superolateral reach and max push-ups. CONCLUSION: The main finding of this study identified the big difference in reach scores between Constrained and Unconstrained UQYBTs. Practitioners need to be cautious when performing the UQYBT and when comparing reach scores from different resources. Moreover, it seems that large trunk mobility is associated with higher UQYBT reach scores

Gender Performance Differences in Standard Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test and Two Modified Versions

Preparticipation screening evaluating musculoskeletal functioning is gaining popularity in young adults. The Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (UQYBT) is often used to measure shoulder mobility and stability, and screening for upper extremities musculoskeletal injuries. The UQYBT is renowned for its unique approach to testing shoulder and core stability in the athletic and active population. Its feasibility in less active individuals is questionable due to its strength and balance requirements. Moreover, there is minimal data comparing UQYBT scores between genders of different fitness levels. PURPOSE: To examine performance differences between women and men executing the standard UQYBT and two modifications. METHODS: Eleven women (22.5±3.2 years, 1.64±0.04 m, 66.1±10.5 kg) and nine men (27.0±8.8 years, 1.74±0.03 m, 74.2±12.8 kg) college students took part in this study. Prior to testing, participants completed five minutes warm-up on an arm ergometer. Participants completed the three UQYBT variations in a randomized order; Standard (traditional push-up position), Modified (modified push-up position), and Wall (standing erect). In each variation, participants completed three reaches in the medial, inferolateral, and superolateral direction. Maximal relative scores were collected, and composite scores were calculated. MANOVA was conducted comparing the differences between women and men reach scores in each direction and for each UQYBT variation. Significance level was set to .05. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the Modified UQYBT for the inferolateral reach, women had higher max relative scores than men, p-value\u3c.01. Women average maximal relative score was 89±10%, whereas men average score was 80±8%. Similar significance trend was identified in the Wall UQYBT during the inferolateral reach. Women reach score (82±8%) was higher than the men reach score (72±11%), p-values\u3c.01. No significant differences were observed in any of the other reaches measured during the three UQYBT variations. CONCLUSION: In this study we measured gender differences during three UQYBT variations. The most body weight the upper extremity needs to balance is during the Standard position, followed by the Modified and Wall UQYBT. We have found gender differences in the Modified and Wall UQYBTs during the inferolateral reach. The difference may be related to fact that during the Modified and Wall UQYBTs there is less body weight on the upper extremity which may increase women ability to have better shoulder mobility and stability than the men. Further research is required in this area

Is Our Student Body Fit? A Comparison of Current Fitness Levels to Normative Data

Physical Activity (PA) among university students yields 40-50% participation and this statistic continues to make a steady decline. This has caused a widespread call to action for universities to provide resources and education to encourage students to increase physical activity. Prior to and during COVID-19 pandemic our student body reported decreased levels of PA. Amid the return to an in-person student life, many students have reported increased challenges in returning to fitness related activities. In tandem with our Exercise is Medicine-On Campus (EIM-OC) initiative, an interactive health fair open to the entire body of 4,495 students was held to address current physical fitness levels. PURPOSE: To examine physical fitness levels of students upon return to instruction practices for the 2021-2022 academic year. METHODS: Just 4% (N=220) of Barry’s students attended the health fair. Only 16% (N=37) completed some form of fitness testing, and only 10 (6 female, 4 male; age 24.3 ± 9.3) completed all 5 physical fitness assessments (i.e. muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance). Participants’ data were compared to normative data for their corresponding gender and age to assess current fitness level. RESULTS: Male and female participants overall excelled in cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance, while body composition, flexibility and muscle strength ranged from fair to average. Females exhibited normal or average classifications across 4 of the 5 areas of testing. Males exhibited good classifications for body fat % and flexibility, and an excellent classification for muscular strength. CONCLUSION: Sample’s overall fitness levels were considered average to above average, but the small sample size does not allow for valid inferences. However, even though it was not the purpose of this study, the data collected highlight an important co-existing issue between college exercise education programs and their efficiency in marketing to their audience. Students were offered an abundance of free giveaways and other incentives for this event, yet the yield was only 4% of the student body. Further research is needed to determine the most effective forms of garnering increased participation in on-campus exercise education programs

Differences in Reach Scores Between Three Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test Versions in Older Adults

The Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (UQYBT) is often used to measure shoulder mobility and stability and screen for upper extremities musculoskeletal disorders in the physically active and athletic population. Shoulder injuries are typical among older adults, often decreasing the quality of life. There are no studies investigating the functionality of the UQYBT in older adults. PURPOSE: To examine the functionality of the UQYBT and two variations on the older population, 50 years old and older. METHODS: Eight individuals (2 males and 6 females) participated in this study (56.8±3.9 years, 166.0±10.0 cm, 69.6±13.5 kg). Each participant completed a five-minute warm-up on an arm ergometer followed by an arm length measurement. Participants completed the three UQYBT variations in a randomized order; Standard push-up position (SUQYBT), Modified push-up position (MUQYBT), and Wall push-up position (WUQYBT). In each variation, participants completed three reaches in the medial, inferolateral, and superolateral directions for the right and left hands. Highest score for each reach from the different UQYBT variations and supporting hand were saved to further analysis. Relative reach scores were calculated using the right arm length as reference. Composite scores were calculated by averaging the reach scores of the three directions. Repeated measured ANOVAs were used to compare reach score between the UQYBT variations in the older population. This was followed by post-hoc analysis; alpha level was set to 0.05. RESULTS: Significant main effects were identified in the medial reach (p-value CONCLUSION: Several differences were observed between the three UQYBT variations. When the reach was outside of the participant’s base of support (medial and superolateral reaches) WUQYBT had the highest score followed by MUQYBT and last SUQYBT. During the inferolateral reach, participants were able to get similar reach scores between the different UQYBT variations. Further studies should study the option to use the two UQYBT variations in the older population

The Prevalence of Burnout and Musculoskeletal Disorders in Physician Associates Students

Physician Associate, formerly known as Physician Assistant, (PA) is a growing occupation that originated in the 1960s. Previous research focused on the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and burnout in nursing, nursing students, PA, and ubiquitously assumed among many healthcare professionals; however, burnout and musculoskeletal disorders are under-researched in PA students. PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of burnout and musculoskeletal disorders in Physician Associate students. METHODS: This study was conducted at a private university in Florida. Twelve PA students participated in the study, nine females and three males (mean age 26.3 ± 1.8 years; mean height 166.6 ± 7.6 cm; mean weight 67.9 ± 14.0 kg). Eleven PA students were in their fifth clinical rotation and one in their sixth. Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey for Medical Personnel (MBI) and the Canadian Medical History Checklist: Symptoms Survey for Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) were used. In the MBI questionnaire, burnout was quantified by three subcomponents: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). The WMSDs questionnaire measured the degree of acute pain in the neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, upper back, lower back, and foot. Participants filled out the two questionnaires in one session and the data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: In the MBI survey, 84% of participants reported high to moderate EE (67% high, 17% moderate, and 17% low); 58.3% of participants reported high to moderate DP (33.3% high, 25% moderate, and 41.7% low); 66.6% of participants reported high to moderate PA (33.3% high, 33.3% moderate, and 33.3% low). In the WMSDs questionnaire, 75% of participants reported having pain or discomfort, in the last year, caused by their job that lasted two days or more in the neck, shoulder, and upper back, whereas 58% reported lower back pain or discomfort. Out of all participants reporting pain or discomfort, several participants reported that pain worsened while working, 67.7% reported for the neck; 44.4% for the shoulder; 67.7% for the upper back; and 57.1% for lower back pain. CONCLUSION: The results of the questionnaires indicated a high prevalence of burnout and musculoskeletal disorders in PA students. Physician Associate programs should include educational content emphasizing techniques to minimize burnout and reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. Further research is needed to identify the influence of physical activity and relaxation techniques on burnout levels and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in PA students

Exploring Physical Fitness Profile Of College Students Through Principal Component Analysis: A Case Study

Universities offer lifetime physical fitness (PF) courses and organize health fairs to keep their students physically fit. Despite these efforts, only 49.9% of US students meeting the National Guidelines for physical activity, reporting low fitness levels, as evaluated by the respective scores of the five fitness components. Fitness evaluation though is a time-consuming process and students’ time constrains have been postulated as reasons for lack of participation, motivation, and involvement. PURPOSE: Since time availability may influence students’ participation in a battery of fitness testing for evaluating their PF levels, this study aimed through principal component analysis (PCA) to reduce the health-related PF components to the minimum required to assessed them in college students. METHODS: Students’ (N=36) PF of cardiovascular endurance (i.e. Queens College-VO2), musculoskeletal strength (i.e. handgrip-HG) and endurance (i.e. pushups-PU), flexibility (i.e. sit-and-reach-SR), and body composition (i.e bioelectrical impedance-BF) were assessed during a campus wide Health Fair. PCA was used to reduce the # of examined variables. Kaiser-Myer-Olkin (KMO) values and Bartlett’s Sphericity test with Eigenvalues \u3e1 were considered for the extraction of PCA. Varimax rotation and threshold of .7 in each PCA loading were used for correlation, differentiation, and interpretation between components. Parallel analysis was also used to verify the number of extracted components. Data analysis was performed by SPSS vs 28. RESULTS: From 36 students that participated in the fair, only 25% (6 Females, 3 Males) actually completed all fitness testing. For PC1, KMO was .61, pCONCLUSION:This study confirmed the importance of musculoskeletal strength and endurance, and cardiovascular endurance for PF evaluation. Even though the sample size used in the PCA was marginally acceptable, results indicated that when examining PF in college students, instead of testing all 5 of them, for brevity 3 PF components may be used as well

Physical Inactivity during COVID-19 Moderates Body Fat Percentage - Relative Handgrip Strength Relationship on Black Females.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence is high in Blacks. Physical inactivity is among the contributing factors of MetS development. Relative handgrip strength (HSR), divided by body mass index, is negatively linked to MetS. Increased body fat percentage (BF%) worsens HSR and contributes to MetS. Physical activity (PA) improves related-MetS risk factors. Only 45% of Blacks over 18 years and less than 40% of US females are meeting the ACSM PA guidelines. During COVID-19 PA levels have been decreasing, while stress has been increasing. Such a phenomenon may contribute to MetS due to a change in BF%-HSR dynamics. PURPOSE: To explore associations between BF% and HSR and to investigate the effect of being physically active during the pandemic on the BF%-HSR relationship. METHODS: Anthropometrics, HS (dynamometer), and BF% (bioelectrical analysis) measurements performed on nine black female college students (age 21.3±4.0 yr). PROCESSÓ v.3 by Hayes moderation analysis performed using SPSSÓ. BF% centered for product construction and heteroscedasticity consistent error. Moderation and conditioning significance set at p\u3c0.05. RESULTS: Model significantly predicted HSR (F3,5=503.1, p\u3c.001, R2=.73). BF% and PA significantly predicted HSR (b=-.1, t5=-5.0, p=.004 and b=-1.2, t5=-8.3, p=.0004 respectively). BF% x PA interaction significantly moderated HSR (F1,5=57.9, p=.0006, ΔR2=.2). Black females, who met the PA guidelines before but not during the pandemic, presented significant positive relationship between BF% and HSR (b=0.07, t5=38.1, p\u3c.001). CONCLUSION: Results support the negative clinical relationship of BF% and HSR for previously physically active Black females that kept exercising during the stressful pandemic period. For those who did not remain physically active during the pandemic, BF% and HSR relationship was adversely (positive) moderated by their choice. No causal inferences can be drawn due to the cross-sectional design and small sample size. However, based on Bjorntrop hypothesis, the combined effect of physical inactivity and additional stress during COVID-19 may have altered the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and increased cortisol levels that led to an increase in fat accumulation. Larger-scale studies are needed to examine the mechanistic explanation of this observation

Cardiorespiratory Coordination Among Intermediate and Novice Female Collegiate Rowers

Elite rowers present high levels of cardiorespiratory performance. Rowers’ on-water performance can be predicted by a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and related measured parameters such as maximum oxygen uptake test (VO2max), ventilation (VE), heart rate (HR), expired fraction of oxygen (FeO2) and carbon dioxide (FeCO2). However, such testing provides little information about the non-linear dynamic interactions during rowing and the qualitative synergetic reconfigurations between cardiovascular and respiratory systems to adjust to the individual rowing performance. Cardiorespiratory coordination (CRC) has been proposed as a method to measure the co-variation among cardiorespiratory variables during a CPET. PURPOSE: To measure and compare the CRC through principal components analysis (PCA) between intermediate (9) and novice (9) rowers. METHODS: Eighteen females, members of NCAA Division II team, participated based on their off-water performance on 6000 m time trial and training status (i.e., Intermediate vs, Novice) in a discontinuous incremental rowing ergometer test to exhaustion. A variety of cardiorespiratory values were recorded. VE, HR, FeO2, and FeCO2 values during the last two stages before volitional fatigue between intermediate and novice rowers were analyzed by PCA on SPSS vs28. The number of principal components (PCs) and the first PC eigenvalues were computed for each group. RESULTS: While 67% of participants in the intermediate group showed one PC, only 22% of the novice group displayed 1 single PC. The formation of an additional PC in N rowers was the result of the shift of FeCO2 from the PC1 cluster of variables. CONCLUSION: Intermediate rowers showed a trend towards lower number of PCs compared to novice rowers, reflecting a higher degree of CRC. These findings point toward a higher efficiency of cardiorespiratory function in intermediate rowers, potentially as a result of improved bicarbonate buffering efficiency during high-intensity exercise. Intermediate rowers presented better gas exchange and relied less on ventilation for a given oxygen consumption. CRC appears as a complementary measure to assess aerobic fitness as well as cardiorespiratory interactions and their response to exercise in rowing may be useful to coaches, athletes and other stakeholder

COVID-19 Adherence to Physical Activity Guidelines Moderates the Mental Health/Toughness Relationship on Black/Hispanic Females

Physical activity (PA) improves mental health (MH). Mental toughness (MT) positively correlates to MH. Only 45% of Hispanics and Blacks over 18 years and less than 40% of US females meet the ACSM PA guidelines. PA has been decreasing during the COVID-19. PURPOSE: Investigate during the pandemic the effect of PA adherence on the MT-MH relationship on previously physically active, Black and Hispanic females. METHODS: Fifteen females (age 21.3±3.6 yr), six Hispanic and nine Black, who met the ACSM guidelines before the pandemic, completed the Mental Health Continuum and Mental Toughness Index inventories, while reporting their PA habits during the pandemic. Data analyzed with double moderation model-2 (MH=Y; MT=X). PA habits and race were the moderators. MT centered for product construction and heteroscedasticity consistent error. Moderation and conditioning significance set at pÓ, PROCESSÓ v.3 by Hayes. RESULTS: Model significantly predicted MH (F5,9=8.9,p=.003, R2=.7). MT significantly predicted MH (b=11.0, t9=3.3, p=.009). Significant MTxPA interaction (F1,9=19.0,p=.002, ΔR2=.3). PA, race, and MTxRace interaction did not predict MH. Hispanics and Blacks, who met the PA guidelines before but not during, presented significant positive relationship between MT and MH (b=2.9, t9=3.7, p=.005;b=3.5, t9=5.4, p=.0004, respectively), with Blacks to better predict MH. Hispanics, who met the PA guidelines both before and during the pandemic, presented non-significant negative relationship between MT and MH (b=-.3, t9=-.3, p=.8) having the worst prediction for MH. Blacks retained a positive non-significant relationship between MT and MH (b=.4, t9=.6, p=.6) with a weak MH prediction. CONCLUSION: Results infer a buffering (Black) and an antagonistic (Hispanic) moderating effect on the MT-MH relationship on previously physically-active females. This preliminary evidence suggests that adhering to PA guidelines during the pandemic would decrease the effect of MT on MH (less positive) in Black females and reverse the effect of MT on MH (becomes negative) in Hispanic females. Possible explanations include different response to the additional stress of PA due to cultural differences. Larger-scale studies are needed to examine the mechanistic explanation of this observation

The Relation Between Measured Subject’s Body Fat Percentage and Three Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test Variations in College Students.

College students tend to gain weight and increase body fat percentage (BF%) during their four academic years. Cross-sectional studies and longitudinal studies are starting to highlight the importance of body composition and its correlation to a decrease in joint health. While the Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (UQYBT) has been proven to be a reliable tool to measure upper extremity joint mobility and stability in young healthy individuals. Past research has failed to account for physiological differences in body composition and body size of college students. The UQYBT in its current format might not be ideal for overweight individuals since it requires isometric strength to support body weight. PURPOSE: To investigate the relation between BF% of college students with their performance in three UQYBT variations. METHODS: Twenty college students (24.5±6.7 years, 1.69±0.06 m, 69.8±12.1 kg) 11 females and nine males participated in this study. Body fat percentage was collected using handheld BIA prior to testing, followed by five minutes upper extremity warm-up on an arm ergometer. All participants successfully performed the Standard (traditional push-up position), Modified (modified push-up position), and Wall (standing erect) UQYBT variations. Participants max scores of the three reaches (medial, inferolateral, and superolateral) were collected and composite scores were calculated. A Pearson correlation analysis was performed between the reaches scores in each of the UQYBT variations and BF%. Significance level was set to .05. RESULTS: Body fat percentage was found to be 20.8±7.5%. Moderate negative correlation were found between BF% and the max absolute scores in Standard UQYBT medial reach (r=-.33), inferolateral reach (r=-.34), superolateral reach (r=-.40), and in Modified UQYBT superolateral reach (r=-.39). In contrast, moderate to strong positive correlation were found between BF% and the max relative scores in Wall UQYBT inferolateral reach (r=.54), superolateral (r=.48), and composite score (r=.52). In addition, moderate positive correlation was found between BF% and the max absolute scores in Wall UQYBT inferolateral reach (r=.32). CONCLUSION: Our findings identify differences between the three UQYBT variations and BF%. When the participant carries his body weight in the traditional or modify push-up position the correlation is negative, which means that the heavier you are the lower your reach score will be. On the contrary, when performing UQYBT in a standing position the correlation between the BF% and the reach scores were positive. This could be related to gender differences or differences in upper body range of motion. Future studies need to examine gender differences and range of motion of upper body with respect to UQYBT