Gluteal Central Activation in Females With Patellofemoral Pain: A Preliminary Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Neal R. Glaviano ◽  
Grant E. Norte

Context: Lesser hip muscle strength is commonly observed in females with patellofemoral pain (PFP) compared with females without PFP and is associated with poor subjective function and single-leg squat (SLS) biomechanics. Hip muscle weakness is theorized to be related to PFP, suggesting centrally mediated muscle inhibition may influence the observed weakness. The central activation ratio (CAR) is a common metric used to quantify muscle inhibition via burst superimposition. However, gluteal inhibition has yet to be evaluated using this approach in females with PFP. The study objectives are to (1) describe gluteal activation in the context of subjective function, hip strength, and squatting biomechanics and (2) examine the relationship of gluteal activation with subjective function and squatting biomechanics in females with PFP. Design: Cross-sectional. Methods: Seven females with PFP (age = 22.8 [3.6] y; mass = 69.4 [18.0] kg; height = 1.67 [0.05] m, duration of pain = 6–96 mo) completed this study. Subjective function was assessed with the Anterior Knee Pain Scale, while fear-avoidance beliefs were assessed with the Fear-Avoidance Belief Questionnaire physical activity and work subscales. Biomechanical function was assessed with peak hip and knee angles and moments in the sagittal and frontal planes during SLS. Gluteus medius (GMed) and gluteus maximus (GMax) activation were assessed with the CAR. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and relationships between variables were assessed with Spearman rho correlations. Results: The CAR of GMed and GMax was 90.5% (8.1%) and 84.0% (6.3%), respectively. Lesser GMed CAR was strongly associated with greater hip adduction during SLS (ρ = −.775, P = .02) and greater fear-avoidance beliefs—physical activity subscale (ρ = −.764, P = .018). Conclusion: We found a wide range in GMed and GMax activation across females with PFP. Lesser GMed activation was associated with greater hip adduction during SLS and fear of physical activity, suggesting that gluteal inhibition should be assessed in patients with PFP.

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Taweewat Wiangkham ◽  
Nattawan Phungwattanakul ◽  
Patcharin Tedsombun ◽  
Isara Kongmee ◽  
Wanisara Suwanmongkhon ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectivesFear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire (FABQ) is a self-report, valid and reliable questionnaire to quantify fear and avoidance beliefs related to physical activity and work. Furthermore, it can be used to predict prolong disability in patients with non-specific neck pain. Although it was originally developed to manage patients with low back pain, it has also been studied in individuals with neck pain. This questionnaire was translated into several languages following reports of potential benefits in patients with neck pain. Recently, Thai neck clinical trials, international multi-centre trials and data sharing are growing throughout the world but no validated Thai version of the FABQ is available for clinical and research uses. Our objectives were to translate and cross-culturally adapt the FABQ into Thai version and evaluate its psychometric properties in Thai patients with non-specific neck pain.MethodsCross-cultural translation and adaptation of the FABQ were conducted according to standard guidelines. A total of 129 participants with non-specific neck pain were invited to complete the Thai versions of the FABQ (FABQ-TH), neck disability index and visual analogue scale for pain intensity. Psychometric evaluation included exploratory factor analysis, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, agreement, and convergent validity. Thirty participants completed the FABQ-TH twice with a 48-h interval between tests to assess the test-retest reliability.ResultsFactor analysis identified four components for the FABQ-TH (66.69% of the total variance). The intraclass correlation coefficient of test-retest reliability was excellent for the total score (0.986), work attitudes (0.995), physical activity attitudes (0.958), physical activity experiences (0.927), and expected recovery (0.984). Cronbach’s alpha for internal consistency was excellent (range 0.87–0.88) for all items. The minimal detectable change of the FABQ-TH was 5.85. The FABQ-TH correlated to its subscales (range 0.470–0.936), indicating the strongest association with work attitude. The weakest correlation was observed between the FABQ-TH and disability (rs=0.206, p=0.01). Missing data and significant floor or ceiling effects were not found.ConclusionsThe Thai version of the FABQ for non-specific neck pain was successfully adapted. It is a valid and reliable instrument to quantify fear and avoidance beliefs among patients with non-specific neck pain who speak and read Thai.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0260541
Author(s):  
María B. Sánchez ◽  
James Selfe ◽  
Michael J. Callaghan

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) can cause significant pain leading to limitations in societal participation and physical activity. PFP is usually associated with athletes undergoing intensive physical training, or military recruits; but recent evidence shows that PFP is common in the general population. The relationship of PFP with physical activity is not entirely clear. Our aim is to provide a better estimate of the general population prevalence of PFP and to relate this to the level of physical activity, and demographic characteristics. The Survey instrument for Natural history, Aetiology and Prevalence of Patellofemoral pain Studies (SNAPPS) was developed as a PFP screening tool to be used in the community. The electronic version of the SNAPPS (eSNAPPS) has recently been validated and was used to survey attendees at mass-participation running events. We will use an electronic survey to collect data from a sample of 1100 Rugby League World Cup spectators. The survey will have four sections: i) general and demographic; ii) knee pain (eSNAPPS); iii) level of physical activity; and iv) quality of life in relation to knee pain. The primary analytic approach will be descriptive of PFP prevalence. Secondary analyses will explore the relationships of the presence of PFP and the other variables. We will disseminate this work by publication of peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals, presentations at scientific conferences, and on the dedicated SNAPPS website https://www.snappspfp.com/.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 772-776 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna M. Hoch ◽  
Megan N. Houston ◽  
Shelby E. Baez ◽  
Matthew C. Hoch

Context: Many athletes return to sport after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with lingering physical or mental health impairments. Examining health-related quality of life (HRQL) and fear-avoidance beliefs across the spectrum of noninjured athletes and athletes with a history of ACLR may provide further insight into targeted therapies warranted for this population. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine differences in fear-avoidance beliefs and HRQL in college athletes with a history of ACLR not participating in sport (ACLR-NPS), participating in sport (ACLR-PS), and healthy controls (Control) with no history of injury participating in sport. Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Laboratory. Patients (or Other Participants): A total of 10 college athletes per group (ACLR-NPS, ACLR-PS, and Control) were included. Participants were included if on a roster of a Division I or III athletic team during data collection. Interventions: Participants completed a demographic survey, the modified Disablement in the Physically Active Scale (mDPA) to assess HRQL, and Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ) to assess fear-avoidance beliefs. Main Outcome Measures: Scores on the mDPA (Physical and Mental) and FABQ subscales (Sport and Physical Activity) were calculated, a 1-way Kruskal–Wallis test and separate Mann–Whitney U post hoc tests were performed (P < .05). Results: ACLR-NPS (30.00 [26.00]) had higher FABQ-Sport scores than ACLR-PS (18.00 [26.00]; P < .001) and Controls (0.00 [2.50]; P < .001). ACLR-NPS (21.50 [6.25]) had higher FABQ-Physical Activity scores than ACLR-PS (12.50 [13.00]; P = .001) and Controls (0.00 [1.00]; P < .001). Interestingly, ACLR-PS scores for FABQ-Sport (P = .01) and FABQ-Physical Activity (P = .04) were elevated compared with Controls. ACLR-NPS had higher scores on the mDPA-Physical compared with the ACLR-PS (P < .001) and Controls (P < .001), and mDPA-Mental compared with ACLR-PS (P = .01), indicating decreased HRQL. Conclusions: The ACLR-NPS had greater fear-avoidance beliefs and lower HRQL compared with ACLR-PS and Controls. However, the ACLR-PS had higher scores for both FABQ subscales compared with Controls. These findings support the need for additional psychosocial therapies to address fear-avoidance beliefs in the returned to sport population.


Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Etnier

There is substantial interest in identifying the behavioral means by which to improve cognitive performance. Recent research and commercial ventures have focused on cognitive training interventions, but evidence suggests that the effects of these programs are small and task-specific. Researchers have also shown interest in exploring the potential benefits of physical activity for cognitive performance. Because the effects of physical activity have been found to be small to moderate and to be more global in nature, interest in physical activity has been growing over the past several decades. Evidence regarding the efficacy of physical activity is provided through cross-sectional studies, longitudinal prospective studies, and randomized controlled trials. When reviewed meta-analytically, small-to-moderate beneficial effects are reported for children, adults, older adults, and cognitively impaired older adults, and these effects are evident for a wide range of cognitive domains, including executive function, memory, and information processing. Researchers are currently focused on identifying the mechanisms of these effects. Most of this research has been conducted using animal models, but there is a growing body of literature with humans. From this evidence, there is support for the role of changes in cerebral structure, hippocampal perfusion, and growth factors in explaining the observed benefits. Thus far, however, the literature is quite sparse, and future research is needed to clarify our understanding of the mechanisms that provide the causal link between physical activity and cognitive performance. Research is also focused on understanding how to increase the benefits by potentially combining cognitive training with physical activity and by identifying the genetic moderators of the effects. These lines of work are designed to elucidate ways of increasing the magnitude of the benefits that can be obtained. At this point in time, the evidence with respect to the potential of physical activity for benefiting cognitive performance is quite promising, but it is critical that funding agencies commit their support to the continued exploration necessary to allow us to ultimately be able to prescribe physical activity to specific individuals with the express purpose of improving cognition.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoko Fujii ◽  
Hiroyuki Oka ◽  
Kenichiro Takano ◽  
Fuminari Asada ◽  
Takuo Nomura ◽  
...  

Abstract Background High prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in nurses has been reported globally. Ergonomic factors and work-related psychosocial factors have been focused on as risk factors. However, evidence on the role of fear-avoidance beliefs (FABs) concerning LBP in nurses is lacking. This study examined LBP prevalence and the association between FABs and chronic disabling LBP that interfered with work and lasted ≥ 3 months. Methods Female nurses (N = 3066; mean age = 35.8 ± 10.6 years) from 12 hospitals in Japan participated. A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographics, LBP, work-related factors, and psychological distress. FABs about physical activity were assessed using a subscale from the FAB Questionnaire (score range = 0–24). The participants were asked to choose one of four statements regarding their LBP in the past 4 weeks: 1) I did not have LBP, 2) I had LBP without work difficulty, 3) I had LBP with work difficulty but without requiring absence from work, and 4) I had LBP requiring absence from work. If the participant had LBP in the past 4 weeks, it was also inquired if the LBP had lasted for ≥ 3 months. Chronic disabling LBP was defined as experiencing LBP with work difficulty in the past 4 weeks which had lasted for ≥ 3 months. In the nurses who had experienced any LBP in the past 4 weeks, we examined the association between FABs and experiencing chronic disabling LBP using multiple logistic regression models adjusting for pain intensity, age, body mass index, smoking status, psychological distress, hospital department, weekly work hours, night shift work, and the12 hospitals where the participants worked. Results Four-week and one-year LBP prevalence were 58.7 and 75.9%, respectively. High FABs (≥ 15) were associated with chronic disabling LBP (adjusted odds ratio = 1.76, 95% confidence interval [1.21–2.57], p = 0.003). Conclusions LBP is common among nurses in Japan. FABs about physical activity might be a potential target for LBP management in nurses. Trial registration UMIN-CTR UMIN000018087. Registered: June 25, 2015.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e026917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Petersen ◽  
Lilli Kirkeskov ◽  
Bjarke Brandt Hansen ◽  
Luise Moelenberg Begtrup ◽  
Esben Meulengracht Flachs ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo investigate if self-reported high physical demand at work, objective physical workload using a job exposure matrix (JEM) and fear-avoidance beliefs are associated with reported sick leave in the previous year in persons with low back pain (LBP). Second, to investigate if the effects of fear-avoidance and self-reported high physical demand at work on sick leave are modified by the objective physical workloads.SettingsParticipants were recruited from general practice and by advertisement in a local newspaper.Participants305participants with a current period of 2–4 weeks LBP and self-reported difficulty in maintaining physically demanding jobs due to LBP were interviewed, clinically examined and had an MRI at baseline.Main outcome measuresIndependent variables were high fear-avoidance, self-reported high physical demand at work and objective measures of physical workloads (JEM). Outcome was self-reported sick leave due to LBP in the previous year. Logistic regression and tests for interaction were used to identify risk factors and modifiers for the association with self-reported sick leave.ResultsSelf-reported physically demanding work and high fear-avoidance were significantly associated with prior sick leave due to LBP in the previous year with OR 1.75 95% CI (1.10 to 2.75) and 2.75 95% CI (1.61to 4.84), respectively. No objective physical workloads had significant associations. There was no modifying effect of objective physical workloads on the association between self-reported physical demand at work/high fear-avoidance and sick leave.ConclusionsOccupational interventions to reduce sick leave due to LBP may have to focus more on those with high self-reported physical demands and high fear-avoidance, and less on individuals with the objectively highest physical workload.Trial registration numberNCT02015572; Post-results.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document