Effects and safety of facemask use on healthy adults during exercise: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

BACKGROUND@#Facemasks are used to minimize SARS-CoV-2 spread during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, facemask use during exercise is associated with possible adverse effects.@*OBJECTIVES@#To compare the effects of facemask use vs. non-facemask use on subjective responses, COVID- 19 incidence, and physiologic changes in healthy adults during exercise. @*METHODS@#The systematic review (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022296247) will follow the PRISMA-P guidelines and use electronic databases Science Direct, PubMed, Google Scholar, Herdin, and EbscoHost. This will cover randomized parallel groups or randomized crossover studies investigating tolerability, physiologic effects, and the impact on SARS-COV2 incidence of commercially-available cloth, surgical, or FFR/N95 facemasks compared to no-facemask conditions during exercise among healthy adults, including studies published from the earliest date to January 31, 2022. Outcomes of interest will be facemask tolerability in 10 domains of comfort and objective cardiopulmonary, gas exchange, and metabolic responses. Mean differences (MD) or standardized mean differences (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) will be calculated overall and for subgroups using RevMan software (version 5.4.1). Pooled and subgroup estimates will be calculated using random-effects meta-analysis. The chi-squared test, I2 statistics, and visual analysis will assess heterogeneity. The GRADEpro will determine the certainty of the level of evidence. @*EXPECTED RESULTS@#An evidence-based recommendation using GRADE on the changes attributed to facemask use during exercise will be available. This will be useful for organizations when developing appropriate guidelines for exercising while mitigating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Future researchers may use this study when redesigning comfortable facemasks without compromising filtration capability.

Translation to Filipino and validation of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) questionnaire for patellar tendinopathy

BACKGROUND@#Patellar tendinopathy is an overuse injury characterized by pain on the distal part of the patella caused by specific movement patterns like jumping. To assess the severity of patellar tendinopathy, the self-administered VISA-P questionnaire was developed in the English language. The purpose of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the VISA-P questionnaire into Filipino and determine its psychometric properties.@*METHODS@#A psychometric study design was used in this study. The VISA-P was translated from English to Filipino following the guidelines set by Beaton et al. and Sousa et al. There were six stages: (1) forward translation to Filipino, (2) synthesis, (3) backward translation, (4) expert committee review, (5) pilot testing/cognitive briefing, and (6) preliminary psychometric testing. The psychometric testing was conducted on eight patients with patellar tendinopathy and eight healthy subjects.@*RESULTS@#The Filipino VISA-P questionnaire (VISA-P-Fil) successfully underwent translation and cross-cultural adaptation. It exhibited excellent face, content validity (Item-Content Validity index and Scale-Content Validity Index= 1.00), construct validity (p>0.05, except for Item 6), internal consistency (Cronbach α= 0.81) as well as reliability (ICC= 0.99; 95% CI: 0.994 – 0.999; SEM= 0.42; minimum detectable change at 95% confidence level= 1.79). No ceiling and floor effects were noted for the VISA-PFil.@*CONCLUSION@#In conclusion, the VISA-P-Fil questionnaire was translated and cross-culturally adapted successfully with good validity. Preliminary testing also showed its excellent reliability.

Comparison of core stability and hip muscular strength in selected collegiate football players with and without Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)

BACKGROUND@#Muscular imbalance in the core and hip is one of the major risk factors associated with PFPS. There is evidence that decreased strength of the hip musculature is present in individuals with PFPS. This decrease in hip strength can also affect the stability of the core and further predisposes an athlete to injury.@*OBJECTIVES@#This is a cross-sectional study that compares the hip muscle strength and core stability of collegiate football players with and without PFPS.@*METHODS@#25 participants (10 with PFPS and 15 without PFPS) participated in the study. Hip strength was measured using a digital handheld dynamometer. Core stability was assessed through the McGill Core Strength test and the 8-stage stability test.@*RESULTS@#The hip adductors showed to be significantly weaker in those with PFPS as compared to those without PFPS ( p=0.040). No differences were found in the hip flexor (p=0.812), hip extensor (p=0.460) and abductors (p=0.126) strength while the core musculature showed that there is a statistically significant difference on the endurance of the lateral core musculature (p<0.001) and trunk flexors (p=0.027) between the two groups.@*CONCLUSION@#Football athletes without PFPS in this study demonstrated greater core stability and hip adductor muscle strength compared to those without PFPS.

Biomechanical taping and standard physical therapy were effective in the management of acute ankle inversion sprain: A pre- and post- intervention study

BACKGROUND@#Ankle inversion sprain is a common musculoskeletal injury due to an inward foot twist. It results in pain, swelling, limited movement, instability, and tenderness of the injured ankle. Standard physical therapy (PT) for acute ankle inversion sprain involves cryotherapy, range of motion, balance, and strengthening exercises. Biomechanical Taping (BMT) is an adjunct to PT.@*OBJECTIVES@#To identify the short-term effects of BMT and PT on pain and function of individuals with acute ankle inversion sprains. @*METHODS@#Two licensed physiotherapists screened the participants. Eligible participants were treated 3x/week with BMT and PT, with a day of home exercises in between treatments. Participants answered the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM). Friedman Test was used to determine differences in prepost measurements of VAS and FAAM.@*RESULTS@#17 participants (10 males: 7 females) with unilateral acute ankle inversion sprains were included in the study with a mean (95% CI) age of 21 (20-22) years. BMT and PT (a) decreased VAS mean rank scores at Treatments 3 and 5 (p<0.05); (b) improved FAAM-ADL mean rank scores in Treatments 1 and 3 (p<0.05); (c) improved FAAM-Sports mean rank scores in all Treatments (p<0.05); and (d) improved in VAS, FAAM ADL and Sports scores between Treatment 1, Treatment 2 and Treatment 3 (p<0.00001).@*CONCLUSION@#BMT may be an effective adjunct to PT in improving pain and function of participants with acute ankle inversion sprains. The increased stability created by BMT may underpin the improved pain and function of participants.