The Bologna Process and physiotherapy education across Europe.

This study sought to understand the influences of the Bologna Process on physiotherapy education by looking at the extent of the adoption of the objectives of the Bologna Process and interpreting the impact on organisational governance. The aim was to draw out the influence that the Bologna Process may have had on physiotherapy in higher education across Europe. It was decided that the appropriate research methodology to address this aim would be Case Study Methodology and a Type 1 single-case holistic design was employed.The case is defined as the influence of the Bologna Process on physiotherapy in higher education.Two independent groups were purposefully chosen to investigate the case as they met the criteria for information-oriented and context-dependent participants: the Heads of Departments of physiotherapy schools across Europe and the Country Coordinators of the European Network of Physiotherapy in Higher Education (Enphe). A multiple method approach, using both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, was adopted. A survey method was employed to gather data from both groups and the findings were analysed using SPSS and reported as descriptive statistics. A semistructured interview method was employed to collect narrative data from twelve participants who were purposefully selected from the Enphe group. The interview transcripts were reviewed analytically and reported in a narrative manner by following the Framework Approach.The participation rate to the survey method involving Heads of Departments from 26 countries was 45.3% (91/201); and that involving the Enphe country coordinators was 82.1% (23/28).The Bologna Process was identified to have had an influence on the organisational governance of physiotherapy in higher education across Europe. Three key findings that emerged from this study show that these influences were on the degree structure and duration of programmes (including ECTS); Mobility and Quality. Issues of harmonisation & diversity were identified in relation to understanding the social factors that have determined and shaped any influences of the Bologna Process on physiotherapy in higher education.The implications of the findings from this study are that they lay down a foundation for further study into the conceptual and strategic organisational designs for future physiotherapy education

Psychometric testing of the Maltese versions of the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale and Exercise Motivation Inventory – 2

BACKGROUND: Consideration of psychological factors towards exercise participation is important, especially when placed within a cultural context. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to translate the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale and Exercise Motivation Inventory-2 to Maltese and undertake psychometric testing. METHODS: Maltese-speaking participants (n = 170) aged 18 to 69 years were recruited. 72% completed both questionnaires twice within an 8-to 48-hour period. Reliability was calculated using the Spearman correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient, and Bland–Altman plots. Convergent construct validity was tested using Spearman correlation between theoretical variables. RESULTS: In total 155 participants completed the questionnaires at both time points. The test/re-test reliability of the two questionnaires was >0.7 for all analyses. Correlations for validity were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The translated tools have similar psychometric properties to the original version; the authors recommend that health care professionals and physical activity practitioners use these tools when examining population-level physical activity behaviour among Maltese-speaking individuals

Barriers and motivators of physical activity participation in middle-aged and older-adults – a systematic review

Identifying the difference in barriers and motivators between middle-age and older adults could contribute toward the development of age-specific health promotion interventions. The aim of this review was to synthesize the literature on barriers and motivators for physical activity in middle-aged (50-64 years) and older adults (65-70 years). The review examined qualitative and quantitative studies using the theoretical domain framework as the guiding theory. The search generated 9400 results from seven databases. A total of fifty-five articles meeting the inclusion criteria. Results indicate that barriers are comparable across the two age groups with environmental factors and resources being the most commonly identified barriers. In older adults, social influences, reinforcement and assistance in managing change were the most identified motivators. Middle-aged identified goals settings, believe that activity will be beneficial and social influences were most important. Findings can be used by professionals to encourage engagement with and adherence to physical activity

Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour with Retirement in Maltese Civil Servants: A Dialectical Mixed-Method Study

(1) Background: Retirement is a life event that can influence physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) and can be used as an opportunity to promote positive lifestyle choices. The aims of this study were to (a) to identify changes in PA and SB resulting from retirement and (b) to explore predictors of any changes in PA and SB following retirement in Maltese civil servants. (2) Methods: a hybrid mixed-method (MM) study, using first quantitative followed by qualitative methods, of civil servants aged ≥60 years, who were followed during their retirement transition for two years. A proportion of the research participants in the MM study retired while the others remained employed. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. (3) Results: there were no changes in total PA and sitting behaviour with retirement in Maltese civil servants. People who retired carried out more domestic PA compared to when they were in employment, which resulted in more moderate-intensity PA behaviour. People perceived that their sitting time increased with retirement in the qualitative interviews, but this was not observed in the quantitative data. Past PA behaviour was an important predictor of future PA behaviour, but not for SB. (4) Conclusions: A change in PA occurs with the retirement transition. However, the uptake of exercise is a personal choice that is dependent on previous experience. Increasing SB is perceived as part of the retirement plan but is not necessarily seen in the measured quantitative data

“It is Easy to do Nothing and Easy to Sit Down”: Perceptions of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors During Pre-retirement

This study explored the insights of old age pre-retirement employees towards physical activity and sedentary behavior. A quota sampling of 20 participants from within the Civil Service in Malta were invited to an interview. Participants who were included met the statutory requirement for retirement within the subsequent 6 months to 1 year. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using a narrative approach. Structural narrative analysis and reflective thematic analysis were used. The story structure highlighted the significance of the individual experiences on the perceptions towards future physical activity during retirement. Two themes were identified using the thematic analysis, influencers, and perceptions. Triangulation identified that sedentary behavior was not part of the narration. The transition from work to retirement is a unique and personal experience and therefore when promoting an active lifestyle, the individual experience and past behaviors must be actively considered

Toward 10 years of world physiotherapy’s education accreditation service for physiotherapy entry level programs

Accreditation is a quality assurance process utilizing aspect of review and assessment according to predefined standards. The World Confederation for Physical Therapy Accreditation Service commenced in 2011 and provides international benchmark for entry-level physiotherapy programs in countries which are WCPT member organizations, and others working toward membership.peer-reviewe

Digital Entry-Level Education in Physiotherapy : a Commentary to Inform Post-COVID-19 Future Directions

Open access funding provided by Lund University. © The Author(s) 2021.Currently, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severely influences physiotherapy education which is based mostly on face-to-face teaching. Thus, educators have been compelled to adapt their pedagogical approaches moving to digital education. In this commentary, we debate on digital education highlighting its effectiveness, the users’ perspectives, and its weakness in the context of physiotherapy teaching aimed at informing post-COVID-19 future directions in this educational field. Existing evidence on digital education produced before COVID-19 supports its implementation into entry-level physiotherapy education. However, some challenges (e.g. social inequality and evaluation of students) threaten its applicability in post-COVID-19 era, calling educators to take appropriate actions

On the kinematics of the forward-facing Venetian-style rowing technique

This work presents a qualitative and quantitative pilot study which explores the kinematics of Venetian style forward-facing standing rowing as practised by able-bodied competitive athletes. The technique, made famous by the gondoliers, was replicated in a biomechanics laboratory by a cohort of four experienced rowers who compete in this style at National Level events in Malta. Athletes were marked with reflective markers following the modified Helen Hayes model and asked to row in a manner which mimics their on-water practise and recorded using a Vicon optoelectronic motion capture system. Data collected were compared to its equivalent using a standard sliding-seat ergometer as well as data collated from observations of athletes rowing on water, thus permitting the documentation of the manner of how this technique is performed. It was shown that this rowing style is characterised by rather asymmetric and complex kinematics, particularly upper-body movements which provides the athlete with a total-body workout involving all major muscle groups working either isometrically, to provide stability, or actively.peer-reviewe

The kinematics of fixed-seat rowing : a structured synthesis

Olympic-style sliding-seat rowing is a sport that has been extensively researched, with studies investigating aspects related to the physiology, biomechanics, kinematics, and the performance of rowers. In contrast, studies on the more classic form of fixed-seat rowing are sparse. The aim of this study is to address this lacuna by analysing for the first time the specific kinematics of fixed-seat rowing as practised by able-bodied athletes, thus (i) documenting how this technique is performed in a manner that is replicable by others and (ii) showing how this technique compares and contrasts with the more standard sliding-seat technique. Fixed-seat rowing was replicated in a biomechanics laboratory where experienced fixed-seat rowers, marked with reflective markers following the modified Helen–Hayes model, were asked to row in a manner that mimics rowing on a fixed-seat boat. The findings from this study, complimented with data gathered through the observation of athletes rowing on water, were compared to sliding-seat ergometer rowing and other control experiments. The results show that, in fixed-seat rowing, there is more forward and backward thoracic movement than in sliding-seat rowing (75–77° vs. 44–52°, p < 0.0005). Tilting of the upper body stems was noted to result from rotations around the pelvis, as in sliding-seat rowing, rather than from spinal movements. The results also confirmed knee flexion in fixed-seat rowing with a range of motion of 30–35°. This is less pronounced than in standard-seat rowing, but not insignificant. These findings provide a biomechanical explanation as to why fixed-seat rowers do not have an increased risk of back injuries when compared with their sliding-seat counterparts. They also provide athletes, coaches, and related personnel with precise and detailed information of how fixed-seat rowing is performed so that they may formulate better and more specific evidence-based training programs to meliorate technique and performance.peer-reviewe

On the Kinematics of the Forward-Facing Venetian-Style Rowing Technique

This work presents a qualitative and quantitative pilot study which explores the kinematics of Venetian style forward-facing standing rowing as practised by able-bodied competitive athletes. The technique, made famous by the gondoliers, was replicated in a biomechanics laboratory by a cohort of four experienced rowers who compete in this style at National Level events in Malta. Athletes were marked with reflective markers following the modified Helen Hayes model and asked to row in a manner which mimics their on-water practise and recorded using a Vicon optoelectronic motion capture system. Data collected were compared to its equivalent using a standard sliding-seat ergometer as well as data collated from observations of athletes rowing on water, thus permitting the documentation of the manner of how this technique is performed. It was shown that this rowing style is characterised by rather asymmetric and complex kinematics, particularly upper-body movements which provides the athlete with a total-body workout involving all major muscle groups working either isometrically, to provide stability, or actively