This study examined the biopsychosocial characteristics of chronic low back pain (CLBP) in an understudied but increasingly larger part of the population: the elderly (i.e., 65 years and older). A new innovative physical functioning measure (postural control, which is a proxy for the common problem of slips and falls in the elderly) was part of this biopsychosocial evaluation. Also, the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-developed Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) was also part of this comprehensive evaluation. Two demographically-matched groups of elderly participants were evaluated: one with CLBP (n = 24); and the other without (NCLBP, n = 24). Results revealed significant differences in most of these measures between the two groups, further confirming the importance of using a biopsychosocial approach for future studies of pain and postural control in the elderly.
Background: Manual wheelchair braking induces an upper body angular impulse which must be controlled by joint moments to prevent a forward fall. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of trunk functional capacity (low, high) on the rate of change in sagittal plane upper body angular momentum during manual wheelchair braking. Methods: Eight wheelchair users (4 low function, 4 high function) completed 10 trials of abrupt wheelchair braking. Trunk segment angles and abdominal joint angles, and normalized upper-body angular impulses were computed for each trial. Linear mixed effects models with initial velocity as a covariate were used to determine differences between groups. Results: The low function group had a higher angular impulse than the high function group with a mean difference (MD) ± SE of 1.59 ± 0.65 N∙m∙s/kg/m2, with a 95% CI 0.287 to 2.89, p = 0.018. The low function group also had a higher trunk segment extension angle, MD = –13.98 degrees, 95% CI: –26.27 to –1.69, p = .027. The low function group employed a greater trunk segment range of motion during braking when compared to the high function group, MD = 12.14 degrees, 95% CI: –24.48 to 0.21, p = 0.054. Lower trunk functional capacity wheelchair users had a higher fall risk during braking. Conclusion: Wheelchair users with less trunk function may be at increased risk of suffering a fall when bringing their wheelchair to an abrupt stop due to an impaired ability to arrest angular momentum.
Sprinting determines a player's potential to initiate the next action. Previous studies have focused on wheelchair configuration and propulsion biomechanics for optimal performance in wheelchair sports. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine influential factor(s) affecting the speed of collegiate wheelchair basketball players. Methods Eleven women (W: 22.3±4.8 yrs) and 13 men (M: 24.3±5.9 yrs) of University of Texas at Arlington's (UTA's) Wheelchair Basketball teams participated in this study. Participants were grouped based on gender and player classification (1.0-2.5 and 3.0-4.5). Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans assessed body fat percentage (BFP). Bilateral handgrip (kg) and 1-repetition maximum bench press tested muscle strength (lb). The first 15 ft of a 20 m sprint were video-recorded and analyzed to obtain values of trunk and elbow flexion (°) and contact and recovery time (sec). Results Lower classified (1.0-2.5) men and women had correlations between initial trunk and elbow flexion (M: r=0.73; W: r=0.84) and 15 ft time and initial elbow flexion (M: r=0.75; W: r=0.71). Low classified (1.0-2.5) men had negative correlations in the handgrips and both 15 ft and 20 m times (R hand 15 ft time: r=-0.89; R hand 20 m time: r=-0.75; L hand 15 ft time: r=-0.81; L hand 20 m time: r=-0.93). Body fat percentage influenced both 15 ft and 20 m times for high classified (3.0-4.5) men (15 ft: r=-0.74; 20 m=-0.78) and the 15 ft times for lower classified (1.0-2.5) women (r=0.88). Conclusion Initial elbow flexion and handgrip were important for lower classified (1.0-2.5) men. Low classified (1.0-2.5) women had faster 15 ft times with larger degrees of elbow flexion. Body fat percentage affected higher classified (3.0-4.5) male players. Additional factors may be identified in future research.
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