Shoulder Joint and Muscle Characteristics Among Healthy Female Recreational Weight Training Participants

Shoulder disorders attributed to weight training are well documented in the literature, with prevalence rates exceeding that of the general population. Although researchers have identified both intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors among men who participate in weight training, a paucity of evidence-based research exists to describe risk factors inherent to participation among women. The purpose of this study was to investigate shoulder joint and muscle characteristics among healthy female recreational weight training (RWT) participants to determine specific risk-related adaptations that may occur from training. Eighty-eight women aged 18-55 (mean 26.8), including 57 who participated in upper extremity RWT and 31 controls with no record of RWT participation were recruited. Active range of motion (AROM), posterior shoulder tightness (PST), glenohumeral (GH) joint laxity, body weight-adjusted strength and strength ratios of force couples were compared between the RWT and control groups. Statistical analysis identified significant differences (p ≤ 0.004) between groups when analyzing shoulder internal rotation AROM, PST, and joint laxity. The RWT participants had decreased internal rotation AROM, greater PST, and anterior GH joint hyperlaxity when compared to the control group. No differences in strength ratios between groups were identified (p ≥ 0.109) implying the absence of weight training-induced muscle imbalances. The findings of this investigation suggest that female RWT participants are predisposed to mobility imbalances as a result of training. The imbalances identified in this investigation have been associated with shoulder disorders in both the general and athletic population thus may place weight training participants at risk for injury. Clinicians and strength and conditioning professionals should consider the biomechanical stresses and adaptations associated with RWT when prescribing exercises. Exercise prescription that mitigates mobility imbalances may serve to prevent injury in this population

Global Warming - How Fluorescent Lights and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles Can Make a Difference

Global warming is a world wide epidemic caused by anthropogenic factors that can be reduced or even eliminated to alleviate the fast paced progression of this harmful phenomenon. Society as a whole can make numerous lifestyle changes, two of which include the use of fluorescent light blubs and plug in hybrid cars. Fluorescent lights as opposed to incandescent, reduce the amount of heat emitted to the environment and the amount of electricity usage, which overall reduces CO2 emission. Plug-in hybrid vehicles utilize a more fuel efficient battery thus minimizing the amount of harmful gases released into the atmosphere

Characteristics Of Anterior Shoulder Instability And Hyperlaxity In The Weight-Training Population

Despite case reports implicating anterior instability (AI) as an etiological source of shoulder pain among weight-training (WT) participants, a paucity of case-controlled evidence exists to support this premise. The purpose of this study was to determine if WT participants have clinical characteristics of AI and hyperlaxity. Additionally, we investigated the role of exercise selection. One hundred fifty-nine healthy male participants (mean age 28 years) were recruited and included 123 individuals who engaged in WT a minimum of 2 days per week and 36 controls with no history of WT participation. Before testing, participants completed a questionnaire summarizing their training patterns. Upon completing the questionnaire, 3 reliable and valid tests used to identify clinical characteristics of AI were performed on both groups and included the load and shift, apprehension, and relocation maneuvers. Load and shift test results identified significantly greater anterior glenohumeral joint hyperlaxity in the WT group compared with controls (p = 0.004). The presence of positive apprehension (p \u3c 0.001) and relocation (p \u3c 0.001) tests were also significantly greater in the WT group. A significant association existed between performance of exercises that require the high-five position (behind-the-neck latissimus pull-downs and military press) and clinical characteristics of AI. Conversely, an inverse association between performance of external rotator strengthening and clinical characteristics of AI existed. Findings from this study suggest that individuals participating in WT may be predisposed to AI and hyperlaxity. Modification of exercises requiring the high-five position, as well as efforts to strengthen the external rotators, may serve as a useful means to mitigate characteristics associated with AI and hyperlaxity. Future intervention-based trials are needed to investigate a causative effect of exercises. © 2013 National Strength and Conditioning Association

Characteristics of Anterior Shoulder Instability and Hyperlaxity in the Weight-training Population

Despite case reports implicating anterior instability (AI) as an etiological source of shoulder pain among weight-training (WT) participants, a paucity of case-controlled evidence exists to support this premise. The purpose of this study was to determine if WT participants have clinical characteristics of AI and hyperlaxity. Additionally, we investigated the role of exercise selection. One hundred fifty-nine healthy male participants (mean age 28 years) were recruited and included 123 individuals who engaged in WT a minimum of 2 days per week and 36 controls with no history of WT participation. Before testing, participants completed a questionnaire summarizing their training patterns. Upon completing the questionnaire, 3 reliable and valid tests used to identify clinical characteristics of AI were performed on both groups and included the load and shift, apprehension, and relocation maneuvers. Load and shift test results identified significantly greater anterior glenohumeral joint hyperlaxity in the WT group compared with controls (p = 0.004). The presence of positive apprehension (p \u3c 0.001) and relocation (p \u3c 0.001) tests were also significantly greater in the WT group. A significant association existed between performance of exercises that require the high-five position (behind-the-neck latissimus pull-downs and military press) and clinical characteristics of AI. Conversely, an inverse association between performance of external rotator strengthening and clinical characteristics of AI existed. Findings from this study suggest that individuals participating in WT may be predisposed to AI and hyperlaxity. Modification of exercises requiring the high-five position, as well as efforts to strengthen the external rotators, may serve as a useful means to mitigate characteristics associated with AI and hyperlaxity. Future intervention-based trials are needed to investigate a causative effect of exercises

The Reliability And Validity Of Measurements Designed To Quantify Posterior Shoulder Tightness

Background: Posterior shoulder tightness (PST) has been implicated in the etiology of numerous shoulder disorders; thus, reliable and valid methods for quantifying PST are necessary. Objectives: To systematically review the literature pertaining to the reliability and validity of PST measurements. Methods: Three investigators independently performed an electronic search using the MEDLINE-PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and CINAHL databases. Inclusion criteria consisted of English studies published in peer-reviewed journals that identified the reliability and/or validity of a PST measurement method as the primary focus. Results: A total of 2860 articles were initially identified with 11 retained for final review. Two measurement procedures were reported that included supine and side lying horizontal adduction with scapular stabilization. PST was quantified with goniometry, inclinometry, and linear techniques. Intra-rater reliability ranged from intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.;40 to 0.;96, whereas inter-rater reliability ranged from ICC = 0.;69 to 0.;91. Reliability among symptomatic and asymptomatic participants was comparable and there appeared to be no advantage of one measurement procedure versus another. A trend of higher reliability for inclinometric measurements was identified. In regard to convergent validity researchers reported correlations of r = 0.;35–0.;88 between the aforementioned measurement techniques and internal rotation (IR). Conclusion: PST measurement procedures have poor-to-good reliability and demonstrate convergence when compared to IR. An advantage of goniometry and inclinometry lies in their ability to gather ratio data, which may be used for inter-subject comparison unlike linear measurement techniques. No studies investigated PST measurements in the post-operative population suggesting a need for future research

Weight Training Modifications For The Individual With Anterior Shoulder Instability

The fitness benefits ascribed to weight training (WT) are well known; however, participation is not without risk. Common WT exercises often place the shoulder in unfavorable positions such as end-range external rotation (High-Five Position), predisposing the shoulder to anterior instability. This column presentswtexercise modifications designed to mitigate anterior shoulder instability. Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association

Resource use and costs associated with coeliac disease before and after diagnosis in 3,646 cases: results of a UK primary care database analysis

Background Despite the considerable health impact of coeliac disease (CD), reliable estimates of the impact of diagnosis on health care use and costs are lacking. Aims To quantify the volume, type and costs, in a United Kingdom primary care setting, of healthcare resources used by individuals diagnosed with CD up to ten years before and after diagnosis, and to estimate medical costs associated with CD. Methods A cohort of 3,646 CD cases and a parallel cohort of 32,973 matched controls, extracted from the General Practice Research Database (GPRD) over the period 1987–2005 were used i) to evaluate the impact of diagnosis on the average resource use and costs of cases; ii) to assess direct healthcare costs due to CD by comparing average resource use and costs incurred by cases vs. controls. Results Average annual healthcare costs per patient increased by £310 (95% CI £299, £320) after diagnosis. CD cases experienced higher healthcare costs than controls both before diagnosis (mean difference £91; 95% CI: £86, £97) and after diagnosis (mean difference £354; 95% CI: £347, £361). These differences were driven mainly by higher test and referral costs before diagnosis, and by increased prescription costs after diagnosis. Conclusions This study shows significant additional primary care costs associated with coeliac disease. It provides novel evidence that will assist researchers evaluating interventions in this area, and will challenge policymakers, clinicians, researchers and the public to develop strategies that maximise the health benefits of the resources associated with this disease