This study compared conventional clinical measurements with electromyographic (EMG) spectral measurements for identification of individuals with low back pain (LBP). Twenty freshman sweep rowers were subjects for this study. Range-of-motion (ROM) measurements were taken for forward bending (FB), backward bending (BB) (double inclinometers), lateral bending (LB) (tape measure), and rotation (double-arm goniometer). Intratester reliability for ROM was also assessed. The Back Analysis System was used to determine static trunk extensor strength (ie, maximal voluntary contraction [MVC]) and to compute EMG spectral parameters from a paraspinal multi-electrode array. A two-group stepwise discriminant-analysis procedure for the ROM and MVC variables correctly identified 57% of the rowers with LBP and 63% of the rowers without LBP. A similar discriminant-analysis procedure for EMG spectral parameters correctly identified either 88% of the rowers with LBP and 100% of the rowers without LBP or 100% of the rowers with LBP and 88% of the rowers with LBP, depending on whether EMG measurements of recovery were calculated at 1 minute or at 2 minutes into the recovery period. Sensitivity (66%) and specificity (71%) results from the more traditional tests suggest that these techniques may be of limited usefulness for LBP screening or diagnosis.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to identify whether a 4-week multicomponent exercise program could improve the level of physical fitness of community-dwelling elderly women. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-two healthy community-dwelling elderly women were randomly allocated to either an experimental or a control group. Experimental subjects performed a multicomponent exercise program that consisted of balance, strengthening, and stretching exercises for 4 weeks, whereas the control subjects did not perform any specific exercise. The subjects’ level of physical fitness was assessed prior to and after training using the Senior Fitness Test which assesses muscle strength, flexibility, dynamic balance/agility, aerobic endurance, and body composition. [Results] Subjects in the experimental group showed significant improvements in lower and upper body strength, lower and upper body flexibility, dynamic balance/agility following training, but not in aerobic endurance or body composition. Significant group differences were shown in lower and upper body strength, lower body flexibility, and dynamic balance/agility. [Conclusion] The results suggest that a multicomponent training program that consists of balance, strengthening, and stretching exercises is a relevant intervention for the improvement of the level of physical fitness of community-dwelling elderly women.

Background and Purpose. Near-peer (NP) teaching, teaching by students where a gap greater than 1 year exists between teacher and learner, has been found to produce positive results in both teacher and learner alike. Gross anatomy courses often include NP teaching experiences; however, those experiences tend to limit the NP teachers to strong academic performers. Method/Model Description and Evaluation. The University of South Florida School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences' Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students participated in a NP teaching experience. All third-year DPT students served as a NP teacher, as either a planner (n = 31) or a laboratory assistant (n = 8). Third-year students were responsible for content development (planners) and/or delivery (planners and laboratory assistants) for an anatomy module within a movement science course. After each module, first-year students completed a survey and course assessments while third-year planners completed a self-reflection. A thematic analysis was completed using the first- and third-year responses. Outcomes. First-year students reported that the experience enhanced their understanding of anatomy as it relates to physical therapist practice, provided them strategies to correctly identify important anatomical concepts, and was preferable over instructor led anatomy. Third-year students (planners) acknowledged the benefit of teaching peers and reflected on knowledge reinforcement with a greater level of comfort and understanding of effort for teaching. Discussion and Conclusion. The findings support the existing literature that NP opportunities are beneficial for NP teachers and learners and have potential as an additional strategy for teaching human anatomy in physical therapist education programs.

It is estimated that at least 10% of people who have had COVID-19 will experience ongoing symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and cognitive disturbances. Pulmonary exercise has demonstrated improved dyspnea outcomes in other respiratory conditions. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a home-based pulmonary rehabilitation program in post-COVID-19 survivors who continue to experience dyspnea. This was a longitudinal, single group pilot study in which 19 patients received a home-based expiratory muscle strength training program over 12 weeks. Outcomes measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks included pulmonary symptoms, functional performance, thoracic expansion, forced expiratory volume, and expiratory resistance measures. Significant improvements were found in pulmonary symptoms ( p < .001), functional performance ( p = .014), and progressive expiratory resistance capabilities ( p < .001). A home-based pulmonary program may be an inexpensive strategy for post-COVID-19 survivors who continue to experience dyspnea.

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