Physical Therapy Commons^™

Activity Levels Across The Intensity Spectrum In Athletes: A Systematic Review Protocol, Jacob J. Capin, Jena Heck Street, Alissa V. Fial, Nicola D. Ridgers, Grant R. Tomkinson

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Physical activity (PA) promotes better cardiometabolic health, physical function, brain health and longevity. In contrast, prolonged sedentary behaviour (SB) is a risk factor for many chronic diseases and poor health. Limited research has evaluated or synthesised how competitive sports participation influences PA across the lifespan. Some evidence suggests, ironically, that former competitive athletes may be insufficiently active and current athletes may be highly sedentary away from sport. This study describes the protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis on activity levels across the intensity spectrum in athletes, addressing the primary research question: is sports participation significantly associated with PA and/or …

Midlife Health Crisis Of Former Competitive Athletes: Dissecting Their Experiences Via Qualitative Study, Jacob J. Capin, Taylor Wolf, Jena Heck Street, Carolyn S. Smith, Shannon L. Lennon, William B. Farquhar, Sandra K. Hunter, Linda B. Piacentine

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Sports participation confers many health benefits yet greatly increases injury risk. Long-term health outcomes in former athletes and transition to life after competitive sports are understudied. Ending a sport may pose physical and psychosocial challenges. The purpose was to determine the lived experiences of former competitive athletes and how their sports participation impacted their long-term health and well-being. Former college varsity athletes participated in semistructured interviews focusing on their experiences, including past and current health, the impact of injuries, activity, exercise, diet and transition to life after competitive sport. Thematic analysis was completed using a collaborative, iterative process. Thirty-one (16 …

Age-Related Development Of Bilateral Coordination Of The Upper Limbs In Children And Adolescents, Samuel Nemanich, Sheila M. Schindler-Ivens

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Bilateral coordination of the upper limbs (UL) is important for activities of daily living and physical activities. Motor coordination improves from childhood through adolescence. However, age-coordination trajectories for bilateral UL movements are not well-established, and it is unclear if bimanual coordination develops slower than unilateral coordination. In this study we examined age-related changes in UL coordination from childhood to late adolescence. Typically-developing children (N = 29, aged 7–17 years) performed unilateral and bilateral, antiphase cycling tasks with their ULs. Variations in cycling velocity and interlimb phase errors were computed as measures of coordination. Linear regression was used to examine …

The Effects Of Attentional Focus Instructions On Approach Jump Performance, Hanwen Liu, Scott Arnett, Dano Tolusso, Kaylee Woodard

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

Attentional focus has been shown to significantly influence motor learning and performance, with external focus instructions enhancing performance compared to internal focus instructions. Research has also demonstrated that novice performance is improved when instructed to focus on skill execution processes rather than outcomes. However, this effect remains untested in complex jumping skills crucial to numerous sports.

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effect of internally and externally directed process and outcome focus instructions on approach jump height and approach speed in novice participants.

Methods

Twelve individuals aged 18 to 22 participated across three sessions: Familiarization, Test Session 1, …

Exploring The Relationship Of Intact Limb Knee Joint Loading With Step Lengths And Step Length Symmetry In Individuals With Lower Limb Amputation, Edward D. Syrett

Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with unilateral lower limb amputation (LLA) frequently experience intact limb knee pain, dysfunction, and osteoarthritis. These problems can worsen pre-existing reductions in mobility and quality of life that this population regularly experiences. It is widely accepted that knee joint loading is implicated in the development of knee joint issues, and intact limb knee joint load alterations are thought to be widespread in individuals with LLA. Prior work suggests that gait deviations frequently present in this population may be a contributory cause of these altered forces. These deviations can take many forms, but individuals with LLA commonly demonstrate alterations in …

Implementing Pt In Pediatric Primary Care, Juliann Fronius, Scout Cai, Courtney Hoffman, Carlee Martin, Joel Wiley, Chris Yuen, Ryan Jacobson

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Patients are referred to PT everyday, but referrals can delay care. Early care is preferred, but getting to the right healthcare provider at the right time is ideal. Upstream PT improves patient care and clinician experience. Purpose: Implement PT within pediatric primary care.

In Vivo Behavior Of The Soleus Muscle During Various Activities In Persons Post-Stroke, Madison Swaney, Molly Carter, Mitchell Mckinley, Joshua Nelson, Robin Dorociak, Tyler Cuddeford

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Current protocols for post stroke populations consists of inconsistent and outdated interventions that target less functional strength training through heavier and slower movements. Current research displays a 90/10 principle displaying the tendon as the primary power absorber and generator during ballistic and cyclic movements, supported by a primarily isometric muscle activation. Power generation is key for walking. High angular velocity needed during the gait cycle to be able to produce and absorb power rapidly. Ballistic training requires the perfect tradeoff between speed and force to generate and train populations targeting power absorption and output with greater tendon activity. Therefore, current …

Imu And Markerless Technology In Gait Analysis: Clinical Lessons, Jessa Barendse, Trevor Nannini, Joanna Zuckerman, Tess Swake, Robin Dorociak, Peter Jang, Andrew Meszaros

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

- Haptic feedback refers to the external vibratory cue that is activated by data picked up by the haptic device, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) (Figure 1), which senses joint position.

- Position-driven haptic touch input can modify movement in real-time (Meszaros, 2019)

- Original goal: to reduce knee hyperextension during gait using a popliteal fossa tactor driven by an IMU-based angle sensor (Sagemotion)

-Concerns arose on the validity of IMU/tactor and markerless motion analysis ❏ Are these algorithm-based data technologies clinic-ready?

- Does Sagemotion IMU fire the tactor at the actual knee angle selected in its software?

- Can markerless …

Hamstring Tendons Don’T Lie #Eccentricsdontexist, Alec Espinoza, Chris Garcia, Enoch Ho, Ian Rousseau, Joel Centeno, Robin Dorociak, Tyler Cuddeford

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Research done on the plantarflexor MTU have shown the degree of achilles tendon and muscle fascicle shortening/stretching is specific to demands of the activity. To expand on this principle, we wanted to explore if a similar relationship exists with the Biceps Femoris MTU. We predict that the biceps femoris (long head) muscle tendon unit (MTU) will behave similarly to the Achilles tendon complex exhibiting the 80/20 principle during dynamic activities (jogging, walking) and the muscle fascicle will lengthen more than the MTU during stationary exercise (Nordic hamstring curls, Romanian deadlifts).

Does The Size-Weight Illusion Exist During Deadlift?, Dakota Kerbow, Luke Mallory, Robin Dorociak, Peter Jang, Andrew Meszaros

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Purpose:

to assess whether the SWI exists during deadlift (whole body loading), and identify the mechanical factors that explain or overcome the illusion

Fatigue Changes Biomechanical Variables In Drop Vertical Jump Performance In Competitive Basketball Players, Isabella Bruno, Caroline Linardos, Michala Rennels, Kristina Williams, Robin Dorociak, Jaydee Romick, Jason Brumitt

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

The drop vertical jump (DVJ) has been used as a tool to identify athletes at risk for injury. Initial studies have suggested an association between biomechanical variables and injury (1); however, subsequent research has demonstrated no relationship (2-4). Evaluating variables in fatigued athletes may help clinicians identify athletes at risk. Advances in motion capture technology now allow for assessment of variables after a fatigue protocol.

Comparing Self-Reported Sleep Quality And Sleep Disturbance With Physical Activity In Community Dwelling Older Adults, Sophie Larue, Morgan Hendley, Brandon Tandecki, Kirsten Cabrera, Faerynn Tilgner, Brad Higa, Christen Johnson, Cindy Zablotny, Theresa Raudsepp, Jeff Houck

Student-Faculty Research - College of Physical Therapy

Purpose:

To evaluate physical activity and sleep health in community dwelling older adults through use of activity monitors, physical capacity tests, self-reported sleep health, physical health measures, and participation in social roles. We wanted to know how these measures may or may not play a significant role in future physical therapy treatment. Our hypothesis was that self- reported sleep quality and sleep disturbance is correlated to physical activity in community dwelling older adults.

Promoting Inpatient Mobility To Improve Patient Outcomes: A Quality Improvement Project In A Rural Critical Access Hospital, Chantal Laplante

Master's Theses and Capstones

Background: Although beneficial to patient outcomes, inpatient ambulation is not a prioritized care intervention, and a task often deferred to physical therapy. Patient immobility is a complex problem that requires a multifaceted approach.

Local Problem: In a rural, critical access hospital, on an 18-bed medical surgical unit, nursing staff lacked ownership of patient mobility. There was no standardized process to document ambulation and mobility tasks were not scheduled, falling to the end of the nursing work list. Many patients did not have activity orders upon admission and nurses lacked resources for ambulation assessment and daily goal setting. There was no …

Running Shoes For Posterior Tibial Tendon Problems, Matthew Klein

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

Our perspective on stability and guidance are one of the many things that make Doctors of Running unique. I, Matt Klein, generally need at least mild stability in my footwear. Like many of our readers, I have continued to navigate and understand what a stability shoe is, what options there are out there, what actually provides stability/guidance and who stability actually works best for. Recent research has suggested that stability shoes tend to benefit those with a history of pronation-related injuries or who are unable to control the natural pronation motion during gait (Malisoux et al., 2016; Williems et al., …

Low Back Pain And The Lumbar Multifidus Muscle, Richard E. Sroka

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Low back pain (LBP) is common, debilitating, and costly to treat. In the United States alone, LBP treatment costs are estimated at 100-200 billion annually. Physical therapists often provide conventional core strengthening exercise (CCSE) to address the symptoms of LBP. On the other hand, however, a low rate of success is reported for individuals treated for their LBP. Despite numerous studies conducted on LBP treatments, patient outcomes are mixed and 60-86% of people have recurrent LBP episodes. This rating may be attributed to the complexity of the exercise that makes correct performance challenging and can potentially reduce patient compliance. An …

How Can We Treat If We Do Not Measure: A Systematic Review Of Neurogenic Bowel Objective Measures, Argy Stampas, Amisha Patel, Komal Luthra, Madeline Dicks, Radha Korupolu, Leila Neshatian, George Triadafilopoulos

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Guidelines fail to recommend objective measures to assist with treatment of neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD) in spinal cord injury (SCI).

Objectives: The main objective was to review the literature to identify the objective measures used in all NBD populations and to present their results and any correlations performed to validated subjective measures.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed in accordance with PRISMA (2020) guidelines, including all records from January 2012 to May 2023 with MeSH terms like "neurogenic bowel" indexed in the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Trials Register, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Abstracts were excluded …

Multimodal Therapy And Use Of Adjunctive Therapies To Bont-A In Spasticity Management: Defining Terminology To Help Enhance Spasticity Treatment, Rajiv Reebye, Luis Jorge Jacinto, Alexander Balbert, Bo Biering-Sørensen, Stefano Carda, Nathalie Draulans, Franco Molteni, Michael W O'Dell, Alessandro Picelli, Andrea Santamato, Monica Verduzco-Gutierrez, Heather Walker, Joerg Wissel, Gerard E Francisco

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Spasticity management should be provided within the context of a comprehensive person-centered rehabilitation program. Furthermore, active goal setting for specific spasticity interventions is also important, with a well-established "more is better" approach. It is critical to consider adjunctive therapy and multimodal approaches if patients are not attaining their treatment goals. Often used interchangeably, there may be confusion between the terms adjunctive and multimodal therapy. Yet it is imperative to understand the differences between these approaches to achieve treatment goals in spasticity management. Addition of a secondary pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic treatment to optimize the efficacy of the initial modality, such as …

Safety And Feasibility Of Paired Vagus Nerve Stimulation With Rehabilitation For Improving Upper Extremity Function In People With Cervical Spinal Cord Injury: Study Protocol For A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Nuray Yozbatiran, Gerard E Francisco, Radha Korupolu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Pairing vagus nerve stimulation with traditional rehabilitation therapies results in improved motor recovery in people with stroke. However, this approach has not yet been studied in people with spinal cord injury (SCI). Motor recovery continues to be challenging after SCI, and there is a need for innovative research strategies to enhance motor recovery after SCI. Hence, this pilot randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the safety, feasibility, and potential efficacy of pairing vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) with rehabilitation therapy to restore the motor function of the paretic upper limbs in people with cervical SCI.

Methods and analysis: In this …

Associations Of Chronic Pain With Psychosocial Outcomes After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Nidilrr And Va Tbi Model Systems Collaborative Project, Robin Hanks, Jessica M Ketchum, Mackenzie Peckham, Mitch Sevigny, Angelle M Sander, Aaron M Martin, Stephanie Agtarap, Cynthia L Beaulieu, Librada Callender, Flora M Hammond, Jean Lengenfelder, Amanda R Rabinowitz, William C Walker, Jeanne M Hoffman, Cynthia Harrison-Felix, Risa Nakase-Richardson

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVE: To examine the differences in participation, life satisfaction, and psychosocial outcomes among individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) endorsing current, past, or no chronic pain.

SETTING: Community.

PARTICIPANTS: Three thousand eight hundred four TBI Model Systems participants 1 to 30 years of age postinjury classified into 1 of 3 groups based on their pain experience: current pain, past pain, no pain completed a Pain Survey at their usual follow-up appointment which on average was approximately 8 years postinjury.

DESIGN: Multisite, cross-sectional observational cohort study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sociodemographic and injury characteristics and psychosocial outcomes (ie, satisfaction with life, depression, …

Exploring Factors That Influence Prosthetic Attention In Upper And Lower Limb Prosthesis Users, Tanu Bhargava, Cody L. Mcdonald, Elizabeth G. Halsne, Brian J. Hafner, Benjamin J. Darter

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Prosthetic limbs often lack the innate control and sensory feedback capabilities of natural limbs, requiring more cognitive effort or attention during motor tasks. While a conceptual model of prosthetic attention exists for lower limb (LL) users, its applicability to upper limb (UL) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore how LL and UL users experience prosthetic attention, and explore factors that influence the existing model.

Methods: Twenty five UL users and thirty LL users with at or above wrist or ankle-level limb loss participated. Focus groups (FG), guided by open-ended questions, delved into user’s lived experiences with prosthetic attention. …