The Lower-Extremity Functional Test and Lower-Quadrant Injury in NCAA Division III Athletes: A Descriptive and Epidemiologic Report

The Lower-Extremity Functional Test (LEFT) has been used to assess readiness to return to sport after a lowerextremity injury. Current recommendations suggest that women should complete the LEFT in 135 s (average; range 120-150 s) and men should complete the test in 100 s (average; range 90-125 s). However, these estimates are based on limited data and may not be reflective of college athletes. Thus, additional assessment, including normative data, of the LEFT in sport populations is warranted. Objective: To examine LEFT times based on descriptive information and off-season training habits in NCAA Division III (Dill) athletes. In addition, this study prospectively examined the LEFT’S ability to discriminate sport-related injury occurrence. Design: Descriptive epidemiology. Setting: Dill university. Subjects: 189 Dill college athletes (106 women, 83 men) from 15 teams. Main Outcome Measures: LEFT times, preseason questionnaire, and time-loss injuries during the sport season. Results: Men completed the LEFT (105 ± 9 s) significantly faster than their female counterparts (117 ± 10 s) (P \u3c .0001). Female athletes who reported \u3e3-5 h/wk of plyometric training during the off-season had significantly slower LEFT scores than those who performed \u3c3 h/wk of plyometric training (P - -03). The overall incidence of a lower-quadrant (LQ) time-loss injury for female athletes was 4.5/1000 athletic exposures (AEs) and 3.7/1000 AEs for male athletes. Female athletes with slower LEFT scores (\u3e118 s) experienced a higher rate of LQ time-loss injuries than those with faster LEFT scores (\u3c117 s) (P = .03). Conclusion: Only off-season plyometric training practices seem to affect LEFT score times among female athletes. Women with slower LEFT scores are more likely to be injured than those with faster LEFT scores. Injury rates in men were not influenced by performance on the LEFT

Spine Biomechanics Associated with the Shortened, Modern One-Plane Golf Swing

The purpose of this study was to compare kinetic, kinematic, and performance variables associated with full and shortened modern backswings in a skilled group of modern swing (one-plane) golfers. Shortening the modern golf backswing is proposed to reduce vertebral spine stress, but supporting evidence is lacking and performance implications are unknown. Thirteen male golfers performed ten swings of each swing type using their own 7-iron club. Biomechanical-dependent variables included the X-Factor kinematic data and spine kinetics. Performance-related dependent variables included club head velocity (CHV), shot distance, and accuracy (distance from the target line). Data were analysed with repeated measures ANOVA with an a priori alpha of 0.05 (SPSS 22.0, IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). We found significant reductions for the X-Factor (p \u3c 0.05) between the full and shortened swings. The shortened swing condition ameliorated vertebral compression force from 7.6 ± 1.4 to 7.0 ± 1.7 N (normalised to body weight, p = 0.01) and significantly reduced CHV (p \u3c 0.05) by ~2 m/s with concomitant shot distance diminution by ~10 m (p \u3c 0.05). Further research is necessary to examine the applicability of a shortened swing for golfers with low back pain

Successful Rehabilitation of a Recreational Endurance Runner: Initial Validation for the Bunkie Test

This case report details the musculoskeletal evaluation and the successful rehabilitation of a 24-year-old female recreational distance runner who self-referred to physical therapy with an acute bout of low back pain (LBP). Her LBP was provoked during each distance run. The patient’s musculoskeletal evaluation revealed core weakness, especially on the left. A recently reported functional test, the Bunkie test, was administered as part of the physical evaluation. The scores from the Bunkie test correlated with other quantitative and qualitative findings. A therapeutic exercise program emphasizing core stabilization was prescribed. The patient was able to shortly return to running pain-free

Injury Prevention for High School Female Cross-Country Athletes

Female athletes are at greater risk for certain injuries and conditions than are their male counterparts due to unique anatomic, physiologic, and psychological factors.1-4 Injury to the female high school student athlete may significantly impact her physical and mental well-being, disrupt the athlete’s family life with medical appointments, and affect her team’s success.5 Athletic trainers and therapists (ATs) should consider these injury risk factors when developing injury prevention programs for female student athletes

A Return to Running Program for the Postpartum Client: A Case Report

The purpose of this case report is to present a return to running program for a postpartum client who had delivered via cesarean section. The client, a 29-year-old female health care professional who was 8 months postcesarean section, was referred to physical therapy for a return to running exercise program. The client had three live births during a 30-month time period (February 2004 to August 2006). During her last labor she underwent an emergency cesarean section because of a low fetal heart rate. Since her surgery the client had not participated in an exercise routine. Following an 8-week training program the client was able to demonstrate both quantitative and qualitative functional improvements, including running a 12-minute mile. This case describes a successful return to running program for a postpartum client who delivered her child via cesarean section. Future research is warranted to determine the optimal evaluation strategy and exercise training programs for this population

Scapular-Stabilization Exercises: Early-Intervention Prescription

This article highlights exercise prescription to enhance scapular stabilization during the initial phase of rehabilitation, with additional tips for subsequent progression to exercises incorporating the kinetic chain

The Effect of Anterior Versus Posterior Glide Joint Mobilization on External Rotation Range of Motion in Patients with Shoulder Adhesive Capsulitis

This CAP provides a review of the findings from: Johnson AJ, Godges JJ, Zimmerman GJ, and Ounanian LL (2007): The effect of anterior versus posterior glide joint mobilization on external rotation range of motion in patients with shoulder adhesive capsulitis. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 37: 88-99