Exercise habits and tobacco use among male Latino farmworkers

Migrant farmworkers risk occupational injury and are at risk for developing chronic health conditions. Exercise may enhance health and help to reduce the risk of occupational injury and/or reduce the risk of developing a chronic health condition. Little is known, however, about the exercise habits of Latino migrant farmworkers. Male Latino migrant farmworkers completed an exercise and health habits questionnaire at health screening clinics. One hundred fifty-three (58.2%) subjects reported exercising during the week. There was no difference in age between those who reported exercising and those who did not (p = .78). Only 42 (16%) of all workers reported exercising for 3 or more hours a week. Seventeen percent of the subjects reported smoking and almost 10% reported chewing tobacco. A majority of subjects do not meet the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) exercise guidelines. Tobacco use is highest among individuals who do not exercise. These findings suggest the need for health education interventions for this population. Additional studies are warranted to understand exercise and health habits of this population.

Comprehensive strength training program for a recreational senior golfer 11-months after a rotator cuff repair

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Golf is a popular sport played by hundreds of thousands of individuals of all ages and of varying skill levels. An orthopedic or sports-related injury and/or surgery may limit an individual's sport participation, require him/her to complete a course of rehabilitation, and initiate (or resume) a sport-specific training program. Unlike the availability of evidence to guide postsurgical rehabilitation and sport-specific training of athletes from sports other than golf, there have only been two reports describing outcomes after surgery and for golfers. The purpose of this case report is to present a post-rehabilitation return to sport-training program for a recreational golfer 11-months after a rotator cuff repair.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The subject, a 67-year old female, injured her right shoulder requiring a rotator cuff repair 11-months prior to her participation in a golf fitness training program. The subject participated in six training sessions over seven week period consisting of general strengthening exercises (including exercises for the rotator cuff), exercises for the core, plyometrics, and power exercises.

OUTCOMES

The subject made improvements in power and muscular endurance of the core. She was able to resume golf at the completion of the training program.

DISCUSSION

The subject was able to make functional improvements and return to golf after participation in a comprehensive strength program. Additional studies are necessary to improve program design for golfers who wish to return to sport after shoulder surgery.

Incorporating kettlebells into a lower extremity sports rehabilitation program

The primary goal of a sports rehabilitation program is to return the injured athlete back to competition as quickly and as safely as possible. Sports physical therapists utilize a variety of exercise equipment to help an athlete restore function after an injury. An injured athlete's therapeutic exercise program frequently includes the prescription of functional strengthening and power exercises during the later stages of rehabilitation. One piece of exercise equipment, the kettlebell, has gained popularity for its ability to allow the user to perform functional power exercises. The unique exercises that can be performed with kettlebells may have utility in sports physical therapy practice. This clinical suggestion outlines the clinical rationale for the inclusion of kettlebell exercises when rehabilitating an athlete with a lower extremity injury.