Factors predisposing to work-related lower back pain in automobile industry workers.

Objective. This study aimed to assess the presence of lower back pain (LBP) in automobile industrial workers and correlate it with the factors known to be contributing to the development of work-related LBP. Method. Post ethical approval, an analytical cross-sectional assessment was conducted for a correlation study on 317 workers from different automobile industries, garages and service centres, who were then assessed by Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire for the presence of LBP. Their pain intensity was assessed using a numerical rating scale, their core strength with a pressure biofeedback unit, their flexibility via the sitting and reach test and their work posture with the rapid entire body assessment tool. Pain intensity was correlated with core strength, flexibility and posture in all of the workers using Spearman's correlation coefficient r with α set at p ≤ 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval. Results. There was no significant correlation of the pain intensity with the core strength (r = 0.052, p = 0.424), flexibility (r = 0.020, p = 0.755) or posture (r = 0.002, p = 0.974). Conclusion. The present study indicates that internal factors like core strength and flexibility, and work postures have no correlation with intensity and severity of LBP in automobile industry workers.

Effects of fitness training on physical fitness parameters and quality of life in human immunodeficiency virus-positive Indian females.

PURPOSE: Highly active antiretroviral therapy has significantly extended survival of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients. These drugs suppress replication of HIV but at the same time, have many physical and mental side effects which may affect daily activities of the patients. The present study assessed if moderate intensity exercise program helped in enhancing the physical fitness and quality of life (QoL) in HIV positive females which may reduce the comorbidities associated with the disease and medications. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to study the effects of moderate intensity physical training on physical fitness parameters and QoL in HIV positive females. METHODOLOGY: Post IEC approval, a randomized control, single-blinded, parallel group trial was conducted on 55 females (20 experimental HIV, 20 control HIV, 15 control normal) matching the selection criteria. Post informed consent, their muscular endurance, flexibility, aerobic capacity, and QoL was assessed. Moderate intensity physical exercises were given to experimental HIV and control normal 5 days/week for 8 weeks and subjects were reassessed for above parameters. Intragroup analysis was performed using paired t-test while inter-group was by one-way ANOVA with alpha set at ≤0.05. RESULTS: Moderate-intensity exercises improved muscular endurance (P < 0.05), flexibility (P < 0.05), and aerobic capacity (P < 0.05)in experimental HIV and control normal group as compared to control HIV group. QoL in experimental HIV showed improvement in all the domains. CONCLUSION: Moderate-intensity exercises help improve the physical fitness as well as enhance the QoL in HIV positive females.

Assessment of Lumbar Lordosis and Lumbar Core Strength in Information Technology Professionals.

STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. PURPOSE: To correlate lumbar lordosis and lumbar core strength in information technology (IT) professionals. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: IT professionals have to work for long hours in a sitting position, which can affect lumbar lordosis and lumbar core strength. METHODS: Flexicurve was used to assess the lumbar lordosis, and pressure biofeedback was used to assess the lumbar core strength in the IT professionals. All subjects, both male and female, with and without complaint of low back pain and working for two or more years were included, and subjects with a history of spinal surgery or spinal deformity were excluded from the study. Analysis was done using Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: For the IT workers, no correlation was seen between lumbar lordosis and lumbar core strength (r=-0.04); however, a weak negative correlation was seen in IT people who complained of pain (r=-0.12), while there was no correlation of lumbar lordosis and lumbar core in IT people who had no complains of pain (r=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that there is no correlation of lumbar lordosis and lumbar core strength in IT professionals, but a weak negative correlation was seen in IT people who complained of pain.

Presence of scapular dysfunction in dominant shoulder of professional guitar players.

BACKGROUND: Playing guitar can cause adoption of asymmetric postures and affect the shoulder's stability. OBJECTIVE: To assess the presence of scapular dysfunction in professional guitar players. METHOD: A lateral scapular slide test was performed at the level of the spine of the scapula and at the inferior angle of the scapula in 20 professional guitar players (age: 18-40 years) and was compared with 20 age-matched non-players at angles of 0°, 45° and 90° of shoulder abduction with both limbs loaded with 0.5-kg weights. Analysis was done by unpaired t test. RESULTS: Scapular dysfunction in guitar players was seen in the form of asymmetric scapula at rest in 25% and dyskinetic scapula in 20% of players. 100% of non-players had normal scapular positioning. Comparison at the level of the spine of the scapula showed no significant difference (p > 0.05), but the inferior angle showed a significant difference at 0° (1.37 cm), 45° (1.93 cm) and 90° (2.15 cm) which was more in the player's category (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: There exists a marked dysfunction of scapular stabilizers in professional guitar players at the level of the inferior angle of the scapula.

Scapular Resting Position and Gleno-Humeral Movement Dysfunction in Asymptomatic Racquet Players: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Racquet sports, especially lawn tennis and badminton have been gaining popularity in Asian countries like India. With this increase in popularity, the injury rate in the sport has also increased. OBJECTIVES: The study will help detect the presence of gleno-humeral movement dysfunction and scapular resting position abnormality in asymptomatic racquet players, thus providing basis for screening the players and allow the clinician to determine if the asymmetry is a normal adaptation in the player or an abnormal change associated with injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 46 asymptomatic professional players were divided into a study group of 23 players (16 tennis and 7 badminton) and control group of 23 football players. Assessment of passive gleno-humeral range of motion and distance of spine and inferior angle of scapula from corresponding spinous process were measured bilaterally and between groups. RESULTS: There was statistically significant reduction in range of internal rotation (62.17 ± 8.09), extension (39.78 ± 4.12) and an increase in the external rotation (106.95 ± 7.49) of dominant compared to non-dominant arm of racquet players and a statistically significant decrease in internal rotation (78.69 ± 10.24), extension (44.78 ± 3.19), adduction (37.39 ± 6.54) and an increase in external rotation (102.6 ± 5.19) of dominant arm of racquet players compared to football players. Study also showed statistically significant increase in the spino-scapular distance at the level of inferior angle of scapula (10.23 ± 1.43) on dominant side compared to non-dominant. CONCLUSIONS: The dominant side scapula of asymptomatic racquet players showed increased external rotation and elevation as compared to the non-dominant side. Also, reduced shoulder internal rotation, extension and adduction and gain in shoulder external rotation was observed on the dominant side of racquet players when compared to the control group.

Intra- and inter-rater reliability of maximum inspiratory pressure measured using a portable capsule-sensing pressure gauge device in healthy adults.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of maximum inspiratory pressure is the most prevalent method used in clinical practice to assess the strength of the inspiratory muscles. Although there are many devices available for the assessment of inspiratory muscle strength, there is a dearth of literature describing the reliability of devices that can be used in clinical patient assessment. The capsule-sensing pressure gauge (CSPG-V) is a new tool that measures the strength of inspiratory muscles; it is easy to use, noninvasive, inexpensive and lightweight. OBJECTIVE: To test the intra- and inter-rater reliability of a CSPG-V device in healthy adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 80 adult subjects with a mean (± SD) age of 22±3 years was performed. Using simple randomization, 40 individuals (20 male, 20 female) were used for intrarater and 40 (20 male, 20 female) were used for inter-rater reliability testing of the CSPG-V device. The subjects performed three inspiratory efforts, which were sustained for at least 3 s; the best of the three readings was used for intra- and inter-rater comparison. The intra- and inter-rater reliability were calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). RESULTS: The intrarater reliability ICC was 0.962 and the inter-rater reliability ICC was 0.922. CONCLUSION: Results of the present study suggest that maximum inspiratory pressure measured using a CSPG-V device has excellent intraand inter-rater reliability, and can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in patients with respiratory muscle impairment.

HISTORIQUE: La mesure de la pression inspiratoire maximale est la méthode la plus utilisée en pratique clinique pour évaluer la force des muscles inspiratoires. Même si de nombreux dispositifs sont conçus pour effectuer cette mesure, très peu de publications décrivent la fiabilité de ceux qui peuvent être utilisés pour l'évaluation clinique des patients. Les capsules manométriques (CM-V), un nouvel outil, mesurent la force des muscles inspiratoires. Ils sont faciles à utiliser, non invasifs, peu coûteux et légers. OBJECTIF: Vérifier la fiabilité intraévaluateurs et interévaluateurs d'un CM-V chez des adultes en santé. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Des chercheurs ont réalisé une étude transversale par randomisation simple auprès de 40 adultes (20 hommes, 20 femmes) pour les tests de fiabilité intraévaluateurs et de 40 adultes (20 hommes, 20 femmes) d'un âge moyen (± ÉT) de 22±3 ans pour les tests de fiabilités interévaluateurs. Les sujets ont effectué trois efforts inspiratoires soutenus pendant au moins trois secondes. La meilleure des trois lectures servait à la comparaison intraévaluateurs et interévaluateurs. La fiabilité intraévaluateurs et interévaluateurs a été calculée au moyen de coefficients de corrélation intraclasse (CCI). RÉSULTATS: Le CCI de fiabilité intraévaluateurs était de 0,962 et le CCI de fiabilité interévaluateurs, de 0,922. CONCLUSION: D'après les résultats de la présente étude, la pression inspiratoire maximale mesurée au moyen de la CM-V a une excellente fiabilité intraévaluateurs et interévaluateurs et peut être utilisée comme outil diagnostique et pronostique chez les patients ayant un déficit des muscles respiratoires.

Suryanamaskar: An equivalent approach towards management of physical fitness in obese females.

BACKGROUND: In India, obesity is highly prevalent in women as compared to men. As the obesity epidemic spreads, there are growing concerns about efficient obesity management. AIMS: To compare between circuit training (CT), treadmill (TM) walking and suryanamaskar (SN) training in weight management and physical fitness enhancement in obese females. SETTINGS AND DESIGNS: Comparative controlled study conducted in a community setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 119 females of age between 20 and 40 years of body mass index (BMI) between 25.1 and 34.9 kg/m(2). 87 participants completed the study. Group 1: CT; group 2: TM walking; group 3: Modified SN; group 4: Control. OUTCOME MEASURES: Body composition, cardio-respiratory and muscle endurance, flexibility. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Within-group data was analyzed with the paired t-test. P =0.05. Analysis between the groups was done using one way ANOVA test. Analysis between the groups was done using ANCOVA test controlling for baseline differences only for those variables that have significant differences at baseline. For those which do not have significant difference at baseline, RMANOVA was done at end of 8 weeks. RESULTS: Reducation in mean body weight in CT group (2.2%), TM (1.7%) and SN (1.6%), (P < 0.05), BMI in all the three groups (P < 0.01), total body fat % in the CT (5%) and SN (3.7%), (P < 0.01), metabolic age with CT (2%) and TM (2%), (P = 0.001). Improvement in muscle mass in CT (4%, P = 0.009), VO2max in CT group by 17.2%, SN (14%), TM group (8%) (P < 0.05). Upper limb Muscle endurance in CT (51.3%), SN group (51.24%) and in TM group (40%), (P = 0.05), in lower limb TM (21.2%) and SN (24.5%) (P = 0.05), flexibility in SN (12.4%, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: All three methods were effective in weight and physical fitness management. CT and SN were more effective in improving cardio-respiratory fitness and upper limb muscle endurance while only SN was effective in improving body flexibility.

Inter and intra-rater reliability of mobile device goniometer in measuring lumbar flexion range of motion.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of range of motion (ROM) is integral part of assessment of musculoskeletal system. This is required in health fitness and pathological conditions; also it is used as an objective outcome measure. Several methods are described to check spinal flexion range of motion. Different methods for measuring spine ranges have their advantages and disadvantages. Hence, a new device was introduced in this study using the method of dual inclinometer to measure lumbar spine flexion range of motion (ROM). OBJECTIVES: To determine Intra and Inter-rater reliability of mobile device goniometer in measuring lumbar flexion range of motion. METHOD: iPod mobile device with goniometer software was used. The part being measure i.e the back of the subject was suitably exposed. Subject was standing with feet shoulder width apart. Spinous process of second sacral vertebra S2 and T12 were located, these were used as the reference points and readings were taken. Three readings were taken for each: inter-rater reliability as well as the intra-rater reliability. Sufficient rest was given between each flexion movement. RESULTS: Intra-rater reliability using ICC was r=0.920 and inter-rater r=0.812 at CI 95%. Validity r=0.95. CONCLUSION: Mobile device goniometer has high intra-rater reliability. The inter-rater reliability was moderate. This device can be used to assess range of motion of spine flexion, representing uni-planar movement.