Student perceptions and performance in the first year of a mixed physical therapy curriculum

Background: Physical Therapy (PT) is a dynamic health profession. There is a compelling need to educate physical therapists to become self-directed, lifelong learners capable of thinking critically. Mixed-design curricula utilize various teaching methods to instruct students in a variety of knowledge areas, psychomotor skills, and cognitive constructs, such as problem-solving, reflection, and critical thinking (CT). Purpose: To describe outcomes for PT students enrolled in the first year of the mixed design curriculum at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). Outcomes included the development of self-directed learning (SDL) and CT, as well as student-described satisfaction with and perceptions of the first year of the curriculum. Intervention: The Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) and The Self- Directed Learning Readiness Scale for adults (SDLRS-A) were used to assess students (n = 41) at the beginning of the GVSU PT curriculum. At the completion of their first year, the students retook the WGCTA and the SDLRS-A, completed questionnaires, and participated in structured focus groups. Differences between administrations of the WGCTA and SDLRS-A were statistically analyzed. Questionnaires and focus group data were used to assess students’ perceptions regarding their perceptions of the first year in the GVSU PT curriculum. Research Design: Mixed-method, cross-sectional, explanatory field study. Conclusions: WGCTA pre- and posttest means demonstrated a statistically significant difference (p = .05), and SDLRS-A pre- and posttest means approached a statistically significant difference (p = .06). The 1-point difference in CT scores represents little-to-no practical improvement in CT. The negative 4.63-point difference in SDL scores indicated poorer performance. End-of-course evaluation scores were most positive for a lecture and case-based course and least positive for a problem-based learning course. Students described lecture and hands-on laboratory as the most effective methods for their learning and PBL-based instruction as least effective. Students described lecture, memorization, and hands-on laboratories as experiences matching their learning styles. Students’ perceptions of the first-year GVSU PT curriculum were that is was high volume, which caused them anxiety and stress. They expressed preference for clear, organized content presented in traditional formats and discomfort with PBL and unstructured, self-directed learning experiences. Students valued guidance, feedback, and applied content from instructors

Quadriceps foam rolling and rolling massage increases hip flexion and extension passive range-of-motion

Increases in joint range-of-motion may be beneficial for improving performance and reducing injury risk. This study investigated the effects of different self-massage volumes and modalities on passive hip range-of-motion. Twenty-five recreationally resistance-trained men performed four experimental protocols using a counterbalanced, randomized, and within-subjects design; foam rolling (FR) or roller massage (RM) for 60 or 120-s. Passive hip flexion and extension range-of-motion were measured in a counterbalanced and randomized order via manual goniometry before self-massage (baseline) and immediately, 10-, 20-, and 30-min following each self-massage intervention. Following FR or RM of quadriceps, there was an increase in hip flexion range-of-motion at Post-0 (FR: Δ = 19.28°; RM: Δ = 14.96°), Post-10 (FR: Δ = 13.03°; RM: Δ = 10.40°), and Post-20 (FR: Δ = 6.00°; RM: Δ = 4.64°) for all protocols, but these did not exceed the minimum detectable change at Post-10 for RM60 and RM120, and Post-20 for FR60, FR120, RM60, and RM120. Similarly, hip extension range-of-motion increased at Post-0 (FR: Δ = 8.56°; RM: Δ = 6.56°), Post-10 (FR: Δ = 4.64°; RM: Δ = 3.92°), and Post-20 (FR: Δ = 2.80°; RM: Δ = 1.92°), but did not exceed the minimum detectable change at Post-10 for FR60, RM60, and RM120, and Post-20 for FR60, FR120, RM60, and RM120. In conclusion, both FR and RM increased hip range-of-motion but larger volumes (120- vs. 60-second) and FR produced the greatest increases. These findings have implications for self-massage prescription and implementation, in both rehabilitation and athletic populations

Strength and Neuromuscular Characteristics of Female and Male High School Basketball Players

The purpose of this study was to identify possible differences in strength ratios and neuromuscular performance between high school female and male basketball players, as tested by concentric isokinetic testing using the Blodex® isokinetic system . We recruited high school basketball players, females (N=26) and males (N=27). All participants underwent isokinetic concentric testing of bilateral hamstrings and quadriceps at five speeds (60, 180, 240, 300, 450 degrees per second). Female subjects demonstrated lower hamstrlng/quadriceps ratios than males at 60 and 240 degrees per second. Compared with male subjects, the female subjects took significantly longer to generate maximum hamstring muscle torque during isokinetic testing at all speeds except 450 degrees per second. The results of this study suggest that there are differences between hamstrlng/quadriceps ratios and time to peak torque of the hamstrings by gender. The variable of strength should continue to be investigated in relationship to injuries of the ACL in the female athlete

Three-Dimensional Kinematics and Kinetics of the Overhead Deep Squat in Healthy Adults: A Descriptive Study

The squat, a fundamental functional movement, is prone to biomechanical inefficiencies. Several screening batteries utilize the Overhead Deep Squat (OHDS) to assess individuals for stability and mobility deficits. The purpose of this study was to create a comprehensive description of the three-dimensional (3D) kinematics and kinetics for normal, healthy participants during an overhead deep squat. This descriptive study containing 70 healthy young adults (31 male, 39 female; aged 18–35) utilized a video motion tracking system interfaced with force plates to obtain full-body 3D kinematics and kinetics. Seventy-three retro-reflective markers from the combined Plug-in Gait, Vicon upper limb, and Oxford Multi-segment foot models were used. Visual 3D software was used to determine joint kinematics and kinetics. Means and standard deviations of lower limb and trunk segment joint angles in the sagittal, transverse, and horizontal planes, as well as the ground reaction forces and net internal joint moments, were computed. The largest movements and joint moments occurred in the sagittal plane; however, the frontal and transverse plane appear crucial to providing stability and mobility. These results can be used as pilot normative data for both future studies and during assessments of biomechanical abnormalities in training and rehabilitation settings

Research from Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries will Benefit Global Health and the Physiotherapy Profession, but it Requires Support

Disparities in research publications are common in the physiotherapy and rehabilitation fields.^1^ A small proportion of published research arises from low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs),^1,2^ home to 85% of the world’s population. Systems-level, institutional-level, and individual-level factors contribute to these disparities. With urgent and unified actions, global health and the standard of physiotherapy research in LMICs can be improved and strengthened. In this editorial, we will discuss the challenges encountered by researchers from LMICs in conducting and publishing high-quality research and propose potential strategies to address these challenges