Assessment of Lumbar Lordosis and Lumbar Core Strength in Information Technology Professionals

Study DesignObservational study.PurposeTo correlate lumbar lordosis and lumbar core strength in information technology (IT) professionals.Overview of LiteratureIT professionals have to work for long hours in a sitting position, which can affect lumbar lordosis and lumbar core strength.MethodsFlexicurve was used to assess the lumbar lordosis, and pressure biofeedback was used to assess the lumbar core strength in the IT professionals. All subjects, both male and female, with and without complaint of low back pain and working for two or more years were included, and subjects with a history of spinal surgery or spinal deformity were excluded from the study. Analysis was done using Pearson's correlation.ResultsFor the IT workers, no correlation was seen between lumbar lordosis and lumbar core strength (r=–0.04); however, a weak negative correlation was seen in IT people who complained of pain (r=–0.12), while there was no correlation of lumbar lordosis and lumbar core in IT people who had no complains of pain (r=0.007).ConclusionsThe study shows that there is no correlation of lumbar lordosis and lumbar core strength in IT professionals, but a weak negative correlation was seen in IT people who complained of pain

Perception of Body Image to Fat Content in Adolescent Girls and Boys

Background: Adolescents are concerned about their physical appearance during socialization. Adolescents are more self-conscious in this age as puberty causesmany hormonal changestooccur. The aim of this study was to assess the perception of body image to the body fat content in these adolescent girls and boys. Objective was to assess body fat content and BMI and to correlate it with the body perception in this population.Methods: Post ethical approval and written informed consent (assent) from the participants, an assessment of the body fat content was done by using skin-fold caliper and by assessing the BMI of 200 adolescent girls and boys between ages of 13 and 15 years. Perception of body image was assessed by using body shape questionnaire (BSQ), which was correlated to body fat content using Spearman’s correlation coefficient with alpha set as <0.05 at 95% CI.Results: The BSQ scores did not indicate any concern of the body shape (26.89±11) in the studied population. Also their Body fat content (15%±6%) and BMI (19.9±3.6) was within the healthy fitness zone. There was a weak positive correlation between the BSQ score and body fat as measured by skin-fold caliper (r=0.182, p=0.010) and also by BMI measurements (r=0.183, p=0.009).Conclusion: There is a normal perception of the body image and normal fat content present in the adolescent population, which has a weak correlation to the actual presence of body fat within them

Correlation of physical factors with musculoskeletal pain among physiotherapists

Introduction: The etiology of musculoskeletal work related disorders remains largely unclear, pain being the predominant complaint. The prevalence of neck pain, shoulder pain, upper and lower back pain increases drastically during professional practice in Physiotherapy. This study evaluated the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain. Also, the study determined the role of modifiable risk factors for physiotherapists (physical activity, psychological status and quantity and quality of sleep) for pain. Method: The study population includes 60 physiotherapists with atleast work experience of 1 year and work duration of 6 hours per day. Outcome measures used were Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire as a screening tool, Orebro Musculoskeletal Pain Questionnaire, The Short Questionnaire to Assess Health-Enhancing Physical Activity (SQUASH), University of Cambridge sleep questionnaire and Internet Mental Health Quality of Life (IMHQOL) scale. Results: Comparatively, pain was more concentrated at spinal regions than peripheral locations among physiotherapists. Surprisingly, many physiotherapists reported multiple sites of musculoskeletal pains. Conclusion: A weak correlation was established between physical activity and musculoskeletal pain among physiotherapists

Suryanamaskar: An equivalent approach towards management of physical fitness in obese females

Background: In India, obesity is highly prevalent in women as compared to men. As the obesity epidemic spreads, there are growing concerns about efficient obesity management. Aims: To compare between circuit training (CT), treadmill (TM) walking and suryanamaskar (SN) training in weight management and physical fitness enhancement in obese females. Settings and Designs: Comparative controlled study conducted in a community setting. Materials and Methods: 119 females of age between 20 and 40 years of body mass index (BMI) between 25.1 and 34.9 kg/m 2 . 87 participants completed the study. Group 1: CT; group 2: TM walking; group 3: Modified SN; group 4: Control. Outcome Measures: Body composition, cardio-respiratory and muscle endurance, flexibility. Statistical Analysis : Within-group data was analyzed with the paired t-test. P =0.05. Analysis between the groups was done using one way ANOVA test. Analysis between the groups was done using ANCOVA test controlling for baseline differences only for those variables that have significant differences at baseline. For those which do not have significant difference at baseline, RMANOVA was done at end of 8 weeks. Results: Reducation in mean body weight in CT group (2.2%), TM (1.7%) and SN (1.6%), (P < 0.05), BMI in all the three groups (P < 0.01), total body fat % in the CT (5%) and SN (3.7%), (P < 0.01), metabolic age with CT (2%) and TM (2%), (P = 0.001). Improvement in muscle mass in CT (4%, P = 0.009), VO 2max in CT group by 17.2%, SN (14%), TM group (8%) (P < 0.05). Upper limb Muscle endurance in CT (51.3%), SN group (51.24%) and in TM group (40%), (P = 0.05), in lower limb TM (21.2%) and SN (24.5%) (P = 0.05), flexibility in SN (12.4%, P = 0.0001). Conclusions: All three methods were effective in weight and physical fitness management. CT and SN were more effective in improving cardio-respiratory fitness and upper limb muscle endurance while only SN was effective in improving body flexibility