OAR@UM Collection:

Physical activity levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients after pulmonary rehabilitation

2021-02-03T13:33:47Z

Title: Physical activity levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients after pulmonary rehabilitation Abstract: Introduction: Patients diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), are known to exhibit reductions in physical activity (PA) levels because of the symptoms they exhibit. Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is one of the first line management treatments offered to help reduce symptoms. PR enhances gains in exercise capacity but whether these gains transfer to increased PA is debatable. This study aims to explore the effects of PR on PA levels in COPD patients. Method: Twenty-eight patients with a diagnosis of COPD were recruited to attend an 8-week PR programme. Each patient was provided with a pedometer and a diary to monitor daily step count. The ‘Yale Physical Activity Survey’ (YPAS) was used to subjectively assess PA duration, total energy expenditure (TEE) and total activity summary index (TASI). Exercise capacity (6MWT) was also assessed. These measures were measured at different time frames throughout the course of the intervention being: baseline, at 4 weeks and at 8 weeks. Results: Statistically significant improvements were recorded after 8 weeks of PR in the 6MWT (7%, p = 0.007), step count (27%, p = 0.022), PA duration (35%, p = 0.004), TEE (35%, p = <0.001) and TASI (44%, p = <0.001). A positive statistically significant relationship was observed between 6MWT and step count at week 4 (p = 0.049) and at week 8 (p = 0.008). Conclusion: The study concluded that an 8-week PR programme does lead to increased PA levels in COPD patients, provided that behavioural change is encouraged via feedback tools such as the pedometer and education talks. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PHYSIOTHERAPY

Back pain in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis : a Maltese study

2021-02-03T13:29:10Z

Title: Back pain in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis : a Maltese study Abstract: Background/aim: Back pain is experienced by almost half of the adolescents with Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS).The aim was to evaluate back pain, physical and psychosocial factors and to determine any link between the type of spinal curvature and the location of pain.Methods: A questionnaire was developed to collect data on the medical and pain history, details of scoliotic curve, psychosocial effects and any other treatment.Results were analysed via Microsoft Office Excel and SPSS.Results: Pain was reported in the area between the scapulae, lower back, sacroiliac joint and on the left ribcage.Those with thoracic curvatures experienced the highest chronic pain especially between the scapulae.Positive correlation between Cobb’s angle and the incident of back pain was reported with no impact on emotions, sleeping patterns, appearance and attractiveness. Back pain was experienced when walking and sitting but not when standing.No association was found between neurological symptoms and the Cobb’s angle.Leg pain and weakness where reported in all three types of curvatures.Only participants with a thoracolumbar curvature experienced numbness.Pain and neurological symptoms affected the participants psychologically and their relationships with others.Socially when going out with friends and family, the participants were not affected.Conclusions: Further research needed, on the physical and psychological aspect of pain in AIS.Clinical guidelines and pain implications should be further investigated to address back pain in both adolescents and adults with AIS. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PHYSIOTHERAPY

The effect of individual gluteal strengthening on strength and endurance in football

2021-02-02T06:02:55Z

Title: The effect of individual gluteal strengthening on strength and endurance in football Abstract: Purpose: Muscle imbalances seem to be common issues in sports due to the frequent use of one limb more than another. Hence repetitive motions cause muscle imbalances between both limbs and between muscle groups in the same limb. Due to this, specific exercise programs are used to mitigate such issues. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a gluteal specific exercise program in terms of general lower limb strength and endurance. Method: 25 participants from the Maltese National Women’s Football team gave their consent to participate in this study. Of these, 10 players who play for the Birkirkara Women’s Football team, were placed in the control group. These players followed their own program with their respective club in preparation for their “Champions League Qualifiers”. The other 15 players were placed in the experimental group. Outcome measures were carried out prior to and upon completion of the gluteal specific exercise program. The outcome measures used were the Single – Leg Hop test, Triple – Leg Hop test, Yo-yo Intermittent Endurance test – distance covered and level achieved. Results: There was only one significant value. The Yo-yo Intermittent Endurance test distance covered for the control group in August was significantly higher than that of the experimental group. Apart from this, there were no significant changes. Conclusion: The limitations experienced in this study greatly affected the results. There were no significant changes seen in the experimental group. Hence, the gluteal specific exercise program did not positively affect lower limb strength and endurance. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PHYSIOTHERAPY

Proprioceptive vs plyometric training : what is more beneficial?

2021-02-02T06:02:16Z

Title: Proprioceptive vs plyometric training : what is more beneficial? Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify whether specific components of a neuromuscular injury-prevention programme had any significant effects on the performance indices of healthy handball athletes. Method: 30 subjects were randomly assigned to either the plyometric (PLYO; n=10, age = 23 ±2.7), proprioceptive (BAL; n = 11, age = 25 ±3.9), or control group (CON; n = 9, age = 26 ±4.0). The CON maintained their usual handball training pre-season schedule, whereas, both the PLYO and BAL added a series of predetermined exercises in combination to their training regimen triweekly. Testing took place before and after the 6-week intervention and included assessing cardiovascular endurance (CE); vertical jump height with both legs (VJHX), and with either leg (left = VJHL; right = VJHR); and stability with both legs (STABX), and with either leg (left = STABL; right = STABR). Results: Significant improvements in VJHX were present in both PLYO and BAL groups, (p= 0.00 and p= 0.06; respectively), and VJHL (p= 0.000 and p= 0.09; respectively). However, only PLYO increased VJHR score (p= 0.000). STABX scores indicated significant improvements in BAL, particularly the males (p= 0.02). Both PLYO and BAL achieved significant scores in VJHR (p= 0.11 and p= 0.00; respectively), but only BAL increased VJHL scores (p= 0.00). Only PLYO had a significant effect on CE (p= 0.047). Conclusion: Overall, males exhibited better performance enhancements compared to their female counterparts. Injury prevention training proved to be a safe and feasible intervention to develop the aforementioned physical fitness parameters of amateur handball athletes. Description: B.SC.(HONS)PHYSIOTHERAPY