Assessing the contribution of different upper limb degrees of freedom to an unconstrained shoulder proprioception task

For the purpose of testing shoulder joint proprioception while controlling for axioscapular muscle recruitment, a novel shoulder thoracohumeral (TH) rotation joint position sense (JPS) measurement device was designed. This device was intended to measure shoulder TH rotation, while also implicitly constraining other upper limb degrees of freedom (DOF) and minimizing cutaneous sensation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether joint motion aside from shoulder TH rotation is being captured by the shoulder JPS measurement device. Upper limb kinematics were collected from 32 participants during joint angle matching trials using the shoulder JPS measurement device. Step wise multiple regression revealed that shoulder TH rotation (β-Humeral Rotation = 0.409, p < 0.001), and wrist deviation (β-Wrist Deviation = 0.104, p = 0.008) both contributed a significant unique variance in the prediction of shoulder JPS measurement device rotation. Findings suggest that seated, unconstrained shoulder TH rotation JPS testing protocols in literature may be confounded by contributions from joints both proximal and distal to the shoulder. Researchers should be aware of the limitations of both constrained and unconstrained shoulder TH rotation JPS testing protocols.

Is there a connection between spine alignment, chest mobility, shoulder joint and respiratory parameters of patients with ankylosing spondylitis?

INTRODUCTION

Ankylosing spondylitis is chronic progressive disease, which decrease functions of musculoskeletal system including chest area. Those changes influences respiratory mechanics, worsen conditions of proper ventilation of lungs.

OBJECTIVES

Rating of functional and respiratory parameters and dependence between them at patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

MATERIALS & METHODS

The study included 45 patients with diagnosed ankylosing spondylitis. Chest and upper limbs mobility, resting spinal curvature alignment were assessed, and respiratory parameters were measured in a plethysmographic chamber JAGGER MasterScreen Body.

RESULTS

Ankylosing spondylitis patients had lower respiratory parameters especially sReff, and FRC. Restriction of chest and upper limbs mobility was also demonstrated. Forward head extension was observed based on the occipital wall test. Correlations between functional parameters and correlations between functional and respiratory parameters were shown, in particular MIP, MEP, sReff, Rtot, TLC, ERV.

CONCLUSIONS

The study confirmed a decrease in functional and respiratory parameters in the examined patients with ankylosing spondylitis compared to the applicable standards. A significant relationship was found between functional parameters in the upper body and respiratory parameters, which worsen with increasing thoracic dysfunction. The obtained results indicate the directions of therapy that should be taken into account to improve respiratory parameters and reduce respiratory dysfunction in these patients. Chest-focused physiotherapy appears to be an important element in improving function in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Does Deep Squat Quality Affect the Propulsion of Baseball Throwing?

This study investigates the influence of the quality of the "deep squat" movement, adapted from the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) system, on the lower extremity movement pattern during baseball throwing, and its potential impact on throwing performance and propulsion efficiency. Twenty-two baseball players were recruited and categorized into two groups: 13 in the high-score squat group (HSS) and 9 in the low-score squat group (LSS), based on their deep squat screening results. This research explored disparities in ball velocity, propulsion efficiency, propulsion ground reaction force (GRF) characteristics, and throwing kinematics between these two groups. The findings revealed no significant difference in ball velocity between the groups. However, the LSS group demonstrated a lower propulsion GRF efficiency (p < 0.030, ES = 0.46), along with a higher vertical peak GRF (p < 0.002, ES = 0.66). In the pivot leg, the HSS group exhibited significantly lower impulse forces in the Impulse Fresultant (p < 0.035, ES = 0.45), throwing direction (p < 0.049, ES = 0.42), and vertical direction (p < 0.048, ES = 0.42). Additionally, the contribution to the ball velocity of the pivot leg was significantly greater in the HSS group, along with significantly better efficiency in Impulse Fresultant (p < 0.035, ES = 0.45), throwing direction (p < 0.053, ES = 0.41), and vertical direction (p < 0.032, ES = 0.46). In the leading leg, the HSS group demonstrated significantly lower impulse forces in the Impulse Fresultant (p < 0.001, ES = 0.69), throwing direction (p < 0.007, ES = 0.58), and vertical direction (p < 0.001, ES = 0.70). Moreover, the contribution to the ball velocity of the leading leg was significantly greater in the HSS group, accompanied by significantly better efficiency in Impulse Fresultant (p < 0.003, ES = 0.63), throwing direction (p < 0.005, ES = 0.60), and vertical direction (p < 0.021, ES = 0.49). In conclusion, this study suggests that squat screening is a valuable tool for assessing propulsion efficiency. Coaches and trainers should be mindful of players with low squat quality but high throwing performance, as they may face increased impact and injury risks in the future.

A feasibility study on home-based kyphosis-specific exercises on reducing thoracic hyperkyphosis in older adults

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of the home-based kyphosis-specific exercises among Chinese older adults with different exercise habits and explore its potential effects on reducing the kyphosis angle and improving physical performance.

Methods

A single-group, pre-and post-test design was conducted according to CONSORT 2010 statement: extension for pilot and feasibility trials. A total of 20 participants aged ≥60 with thoracic hyperkyphosis and rehabilitation potential were recruited from four local communities in Wuhan, China. Participants underwent a six-week home-based kyphosis-specific exercises intervention that included warm-up, muscle strengthens, spinal alignment, spinal mobility and flexibility, and cool down five sections (22 exercises). The intervention involved seven 1-h group classes and 35 times daily home practice with identical content. At pre- and post-intervention, the participants' kyphosis angle in two standing postures, static balance, dynamic balance, cardiopulmonary function, dynamic gait assessment, pain, and self-image were assessed and compared. Feasibility was assessed by group class attendance, home practice adherence, and participant evaluations.

Results

All participants completed group classes and >75% home practice. Post-intervention, the participant's kyphosis angle in relaxed and best-standing postures was changed by -12.0° (-15.5°, -4.0°) (Z = - 3.98, P < 0.001）and -10.0° (-14.0°, -5.3°) (Z = -3.79, P < 0.001), respectively. In addition, participants had significantly less pain (P < 0.001), better self-image (P < 0.001), and improved performance in five physical assessments (P < 0.01). Different pre-intervention hyperkyphosis angle and daily physical activity did not affect intervention effects. Most participants considered the interventional exercise as moderate intensity and satisfactory.

Conclusions

Home-based kyphosis-specific exercises showed the possibility of being a feasible intervention. And it was advantageous to reducing the kyphosis angle and improving physical performance.

Effects of an 8-week multimodal program on thoracic posture, glenohumeral range of motion and serve performance in competitive young tennis players

Introduction

Intensive tennis practice is known to generate sport-specific adaptations at the shoulder region and influence the sagittal spinal curvature. However, increased thoracic kyphosis decreases the shoulder functional capacity, which could limit tennis performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an 8-week multimodal program on thoracic posture, glenohumeral range of motion, and serve performance in competitive young tennis players.

Methods

Eighteen male and four female players (age: 16.0 ± 2.4 years, height: 170.7 ± 11.0 cm; mass: 62.1 ± 11.5 kg; International Tennis Number: 3-4) performed their regular training during 8 weeks, which was used as a reference period, and implemented a multimodal program including stretching, strengthening, and myofascial release exercises, four times per week during 8 additional weeks, which corresponded to the intervention period. The thoracic curvature angle and mobility, the biacromial and interscapular distances, the glenohumeral range of motion and the tennis serve performance were assessed three times, i.e., before and after the regular training and after the 8-week multimodal program.

Results

The results showed that the 8-week regular training had no significant effects on thoracic curvature angle [effect size (ES) = 0.02-0.36, p = 0.06-0.46] and mobility (ES = 0.05-0.26, p = 0.13-0.42), biacromial (ES = 0.05, p = 0.18) and interscapular distances (ES = 0.03, p = 0.45), ranges of motion in glenohumeral internal (ES = 0.04, p = 0.43) and external rotation (ES = 0.43, p = 0.06), and tennis serve accuracy (ES = 0.33, p = 0.07) and velocity (ES = 0.09, p = 0.35). The 8-week multimodal program increased moderately the thoracic mobility (ES = 0.55, p = 0.01), moderately to strongly the serve accuracy and velocity (ES = 0.65, p = 0.003, for both), strongly decreased the interscapular distance (ES = 1.02, p < 0.001), and strongly increased the range of motion in glenohumeral internal (ES = 0.90, p < 0.001) and external rotation (ES = 1.49, p < 0.001).

Discussion

These findings indicated that an 8-week multimodal program, including spine and glenohumeral mobility and shoulder girdle strength exercises, performed four times per week during 8 weeks, is moderately relevant to rectify the sagittal thoracic curvature in competitive tennis players, while such a program may help regain the range of motion in glenohumeral rotation without tennis serve performance impairment.

RESPONSES OF TAI CHI IN UPPER LIMB SPORTS INJURIES REHABILITATION ON YOUNG PEOPLE

ABSTRACT Introduction Practicing sports can strengthen the body both physically and mentally. Although Tai Chi can help injured athletes to recover quickly and shorten the return to sports training and competition, there are still no detailed studies about its effectiveness in lower limb injuries in young people. Objective Analyze the effects of Tai Chi in upper limb sports injuries rehabilitation on young people. Methods 91 patients with sports injuries are selected and randomly divided into a control group (n=44) and an experimental group (n=47). The control group received regular exercises for rehabilitation, while the experimental group used Tai Chi exercises. Mathematical statistics are used to analyze the effects before and after the activities. Results There are considerable statistical differences in the effects of exercise on the two groups of patients. Conclusion Tai Chi exercise can help young people recover from upper limb sports injuries. Evidence level II; Therapeutic Studies - Investigating the results.

Multivariate shoulder and spine relationship using planar range of motion assessment

CONTEXT

Goniometry and posture are commonly used metrics in clinical assessment of the shoulder and spine. When both the shoulder and spine are assessed individually using these techniques, there are structural and functional musculoskeletal relationships between the two anatomical regions that may be overlooked.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationships between and within the shoulder and spine as measured by active range of motion (ROM) and spine curvature.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Clinical assessment in university setting.

PARTICIPANTS

163 asymptomatic, right hand dominant, young adults; INTERVENTION: None.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

A multivariate canonical correlation was used to identify a shoulder-spine relationship using active ROM assessments.

RESULTS

A shoulder-spine relationship was determined using planar assessments and multivariate analyses of these two areas. Measures contributing to this relationship included shoulder flexion, internal rotation, external rotation, and trunk flexion and lumbar lordosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study suggest that assessment of shoulder ROM should be interpreted with respect to spine region and vice versa, regardless of presenting region of concern, owing to the multivariate shoulder-spine ROM relationship when considering multiple measures of ROM and posture.