Tran slation , cultural adap tation an d psycho metric anal ysis of U rd u ver sion of Vic torian; institu te of sp or ts ass es sme nt: Achill es quest i onnaire fo r athletes with achilles tendinopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To translate, culturally adapt and psychometrically analyse the Urdu version of the Victorian Institute of Spor t Assessment-Achilles questionnaire. METHODS: The cross-sec tional study was conducted at the Pak istan Sports Board, Lahore, Pakistan, from June 17, 2021, to February 15, 2022, and comprised patients with Achilles tendinopathy in group A and healthy controls in group B. Beaton's guidelines for cultural adaptation and validation for self-repor ted measures were followed to translate and validate the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles questionnaire in Urdu language. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. RESULTS: Of the 180 subjects with mean age 28.06±5.95 years, 125(69.6%) were males. There were 130(72.2%) patients in group A and 50(27.8%) controls in group B. The overall mean score of the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment- Achille s questionnaire was 55.99±25.43; group A 41.14±9.54 and group B 94.60±4.22. The Urdu version exhibited excellent internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha values 0.95, and excellent test-retest reliability (p<0.001). Absolute reliability was expressed by standard error of measurement 5.317 and minimal detectable change (6.38). Convergent validity demonstrated strong correlation with the physical domain (r=0.81) of the Urdu version of the World Health Organisation Quality of Life Brief Version. CONCLUSIONS: The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Achilles questionnaire could be utilised for assessing severity of Achilles tendinopathy among Urdu-speaking population for clinical as well as research purposes.

Efficacy of posture correction band vs. McKenzie's exercises on pulmonary function and chest expansion in asymptomatic population with forward head posture.

BACKGROUND: Poor posture and sedentary lifestyle cause Forward Head Posture (FHP). To correct this, a Posture Correction Band (PCB) is commonly used. However, the efficacy of PCB vs. McKenzie's Exercises on pulmonary function and chest expansion in asymptomatic individuals with FHP was not known. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of PCB vs. McKenzie's Exercises on the Pulmonary function and chest expansion in asymptomatic population with FHP. METHODOLOGY: A Randomized control trial was conducted on forty-two subjects with FHP. Subjects were divided in two groups. G1 group was educated as per McKenzie's exercises to perform once daily for a month. The Pulmonary function test and chest expansion of this group was performed before and after the McKenzie exercises. G2 group wore PCB for 2 h daily for a month and their PFT and chest expansion was recorded before and after the trial. FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio, PEFR and Chest expansion were measured. RESULTS: The P-value of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio and PEFR between the groups (treatment group) was significant as 0.000, 0.000, 0.000 and 0.02 respectively. The chest expansion was non-significant between the groups (treatment group) with P-value as 0.553, 0.493 and 0.699 at axillary, 4th intercostal and xiphisternum level respectively. The P-value of FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC ratio and PEFR between the groups (control group) was non-significant as 0.682, 0.149, 0.424 and 0.414 respectively. The chest expansion was also non-significant between the groups (control group) with P-value as 0.853, 0.651 and 0.763 at axillary, 4th intercostal and xiphisternum level. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that there were significant effects of both Posture Correction Band and Mc'Kenzie exercises on pulmonary function with greater difference seen with PCB and non-significant effects on chest expansion in terms of P-values in treatment group.

Air Quality, Pollution and Sustainability Trends in South Asia: A Population-Based Study.

INTRODUCTION: Worsening air quality and pollution lead to numerous environmental health and sustainability issues in the South Asia region. This study analyzes India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal for air quality data trends and sustainability indicators. METHODOLOGY: By using a population-based study design, six South Asian countries were analyzed using a step-wise approach. Data were obtained from government websites and publicly available repositories for region dynamics and key variables. RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2020, air quality data indicated the highest rise in CO2 emissions in India (578.5 to 2441.8 million tons) (MT), Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. Greenhouse gas emissions, from 1990 to 2018, nearly tripled in India (1990.4 to 3346.6 MT of CO2-equivalents), Nepal (20.6 to 54.6 MT of CO2-equivalents), and Pakistan, and doubled in Bangladesh. Methane emissions rose the highest in Pakistan (70.4 to 151 MT of CO2-equivalents), followed by Nepal (17 to 31 MT of CO2-equivalents) and India (524.8 to 669.3 MT of CO2-equivalents). Nitrous oxide nearly doubled in Bangladesh (16.5 to 29.3 MT of CO2-equivalents), India (141.6 to 256.9 MT of CO2-equivalents), Nepal (17 to 31 MT of CO2-equivalents), and more than doubled in Pakistan (27 to 61 MT of CO2-equivalents). On noting particulate matter 2,5 annual exposure, India saw the highest rise from 81.3 µg/m3 (in 1990) to 90.9 µg/m3 (2017), whereas trends were steady in Pakistan (60.34 to 58.3 µg/m3). The highest rise was noted in Nepal (87.6 to 99.7 µg/m3) until 2017. During the coronavirus disease 19 pandemic, the pre-and post-pandemic changes between 2018 and 2021 indicated the highest PM2.5 concentration in Bangladesh (76.9 µg/m3), followed by Pakistan (66.8 µg/m3), India (58.1 µg/m3), Nepal (46 µg/m3) and Sri Lanka (17.4 µg/m3). Overall, South Asian countries contribute to the worst air quality and sustainability trends regions worldwide. CONCLUSIONS: Air pollution is prevalent across a majority of South Asia countries. Owing to unsustainable industrial practices, pollution trends have risen to hazardous levels. Economic, environmental, and human health impacts have manifested and require urgent, concerted efforts by governing bodies in the region.