An exploration of the relationship between back muscle endurance and familial, physical, lifestyle, and psychosocial factors in adolescents and young adults

A Longitudinal Evaluation of Risk Factors and Interactions for the Development of Nonspecific Neck Pain in Office Workers in Two Cultures

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk factors for the development of interfering neck pain in office workers including an examination of the interaction effects between potential risk factors.

BACKGROUND

The 1-year incidence of neck pain in office workers is reported as the highest of all occupations. Identifying risk factors for the development of neck pain in office workers is therefore a priority to direct prevention strategies.

METHODS

Participants included 214 office workers without neck pain from two cultures. A battery of measures evaluating potential individual and workplace risk factors were administered at baseline, and the incidence of interfering neck pain assessed monthly for 12 months. Survival analysis was used to identify relationships between risk factors and the development of interfering neck pain.

RESULTS

One-year incidence was 1.93 (95% CI [1.41, 2.64]) per 100 person months. Factors increasing the risk of developing interfering neck pain were older age, female gender, increased sitting hours, higher job strain, and stress. A neutral thorax sitting posture, greater cervical range of motion and muscle endurance, and higher physical activity were associated with a decreased risk of neck pain. The effects of some risk factors on the development of neck pain were moderated by the workers' coping resources.

CONCLUSION

Multiple risk factors and interactions may explain the development of neck pain in office workers. Therefore, plans for preventing the development of interfering neck pain in office workers should consider multiple individual and work-related factors with some factors being potentially more modifiable than others.

Lumbopelvic sagittal standing posture associations with anthropometry, physical activity levels and trunk muscle endurance in healthy adults

Background

Various factors, inherited and acquired, are associated with habitual spinal postures.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationships between trunk muscle endurance, anthropometry and physical activity/inactivity and the sagittal standing lumbopelvic posture in pain-free young participants.

Methods

In this study, 112 healthy young adults (66 females), with median (IQR) age of 20 years (18.2-22 years), without low back pain, injury or trauma were included. Lumbar curve (LC) and sacral slope (SS) angles were measured in standing with a mobile phone application (iHandy level). Anthropometric, physical activity/inactivity levels (leisure-time sport involvement and sitting hours/day) and abdominal (plank prone bridge test) and paraspinal (Sorensen test) isometric muscle endurance measures were collected.

Results

LC and SS angles correlated significantly ( r = 0 . 80 , p < 0 . 001 ). Statistically significant differences for both LC ( p = 0 . 023 ) and SS ( p = 0 . 013 ) angles were identified between the male and female participants. A significant negative correlation was identified between the abdominal endurance time and LC ( r =- 0 . 27 , p = 0 . 004 ); however, the power of this result (56%) was not sufficiently high. The correlation between abdominal endurance and SS was non-significant ( r =- 0 . 17 , p = 0 . 08 ). In addition, no significant associations were identified between either of the sagittal lumbopelvic angles (LC-SS) in standing and the participants' body mass index (BMI), paraspinal endurance, leisure-time sport involvement or sitting hours/day.

Conclusion

The potential role of preventive exercise in controlling lumbar lordosis via enhancement of the abdominal muscle endurance characteristics requires further confirmation. A subsequent study, performed in a larger population of more diverse occupational involvement and leisure-time physical activity levels, is proposed.

Curcumin prevents tension-induced endplate cartilage degeneration by enhancing autophagy

AIMS

Intermittent cyclic tension stimulation(ICMT) was shown to promote degeneration of endplate chondrocytes and induce autophagy. However, enhancing autophagy can alleviate degeneration partly. Studies have shown that curcumin can induce autophagy and protect chondrocytes, we speculated that regulation of autophagy by curcumin might be an effective method to improve the stress resistance of endplate cartilage. In this study, human cervical endplate cartilage specimens were collected, and expression of autophagy markers was detected and compared.

MAIN METHODS

Human cervical endplate chondrocytes were cultured to establish a tension-induced degeneration model, for which changes of functional metabolism and autophagy levels were detected under different tension loading conditions. Changes in functional metabolism of endplate chondrocytes were observed under high-intensity tension loading in the presence of inhibitors, inducers, and curcumin to regulate the autophagy level of cells. In addition, a rat model of lumbar instability was established to observe the degeneration of lumbar disc after curcumin administration.

KEY FINDINGS

Through a series of experiments, we found that low-intensity tension stimulation can maintain a stable phenotype of endplate chondrocytes, but high-intensity tension stimulation has a negative effect. Moreover, with increasing tension intensity, the degree of degeneration of endplate chondrocytes was gradually aggravated and the level of autophagy increased. Besides, curcumin upregulated autophagy, inhibited apoptosis, and reduced phenotype loss of endplate chondrocytes induced by high-intensity tension loading, thereby relieving intervertebral disc degeneration induced by mechanical imbalance.

SIGNIFICANCE

Curcumin mediated autophagy and enhanced the adaptability of endplate chondrocytes to high-intensity tension load, thereby relieving intervertebral disc degeneration.

Tension induces intervertebral disc degeneration via endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated autophagy

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration is a common degenerative disease. The present study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of tension-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in intervertebral disc degeneration.

Methods: Intervertebral disc degeneration models of SD rat were analyzed for apoptosis, the expression of Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), Caspase-12, Caspase-3, LC3, Beclin-1 and CHOP using immunohistochemistry, qPCR and Western blot analysis. Annulus fibrosus cells of intervertebral disc were isolated, subjected to cyclic deformation stress and analyzed for ROS and apoptosis, lysosome activity and expression of genes. The cells were knockdown with siRNA or treated with endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibitor 4-PBA and assayed for ROS, apoptosis, lysosome activity and gene expression.

Results: Compared with the controls, intervertebral disc degeneration was observed through X-rays examinations and HS staining. Apoptosis and expression of PARP, Caspase-12, Caspase-3, LC3, Beclin-1 and CHOP were significantly increased in the intervertebral disc tissue of the models. In mechanic mimic experiments, the primary annulus fibrosus cells were subjected to 18% cyclic deformation, ROS and apoptosis as well as the activity of lysosome were increased. Similarly, the expression of PARP, Caspase-12, Caspase-3, LC3, Beclin-1 and CHOP was also increased significantly after deformation treatment. On other hand, when the cells were treated with 9 mM 4-PBA and/or CHOP-siRNA4, the apoptosis rate, ROS level, lysosome activity and expression of PARP, Caspase-12, Caspase-3, LC3, Beclin-1 and CHOP were significantly reduced.

Conclusions: Autophagy reaction mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress plays important rale in tension-induced intervertebral disc degeneration. Intervertebral disc degeneration likely results from interactions between autophagy, apoptosis and reticulum stress, and is ROS-dependent.

Comparative Study of Abdominal Muscle Thickness on Ultrasonography in Healthy Adolescents and Patients With Low Back Pain

OBJECTIVES

Low back pain (LBP) is a common musculoskeletal disorder among different age groups, including adolescents. The purpose of this study was to compare the abdominal muscle thickness between healthy adolescents and those with LBP.

METHODS

One hundred sixty healthy high school adolescents and 80 high school adolescents with LBP participated in the study. All participants were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire and also a visual analog scale and the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire to evaluate the pain intensity and functional disability. Then abdominal muscle thickness was examined with ultrasonography.

RESULTS

The healthy high adolescents included 80 boys and 80 girls, and the adolescents with LBP included 40 boys and 40 girls. The results showed a significant difference between healthy adolescents and those with LBP in terms of abdominal muscle thickness (P < .05). Patients with LBP had smaller abdominal muscles compared with healthy adolescents. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of the subcutaneous fat dimension (P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The thickness of abdominal muscles was lower in adolescents with LBP. Future studies with a larger sample and a wider age range are recommended to support the results of this study.

Neck Posture Clusters and Their Association With Biopsychosocial Factors and Neck Pain in Australian Adolescents

BACKGROUND

There is conflicting evidence on the association between sagittal neck posture and neck pain.

OBJECTIVE

The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine the existence of clusters of neck posture in a cohort of 17-year-olds and (2) to establish whether identified subgroups were associated with biopsychosocial factors and neck pain.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study.

METHODS

The adolescents (N=1,108) underwent 2-dimensional photographic postural assessment in a sitting position. One distance and 4 angular measurements of the head, neck, and thorax were calculated from photo-reflective markers placed on bony landmarks. Subgroups of sagittal sitting neck posture were determined by cluster analysis. Height and weight were measured, and lifestyle and psychological factors, neck pain, and headache were assessed by questionnaire. The associations among posture subgroups, neck pain, and other factors were evaluated using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Four distinct clusters of sitting neck posture were identified: upright, intermediate, slumped thorax/forward head, and erect thorax/forward head. Significant associations between cluster and sex, weight, and height were found. Participants classified as having slumped thorax/forward head posture were at higher odds of mild, moderate, or severe depression. Participants classified as having upright posture exercised more frequently. There was no significant difference in the odds of neck pain or headache across the clusters.

LIMITATIONS

The results are specific to 17-year-olds and may not be applicable to adults.

CONCLUSION

Meaningful sagittal sitting neck posture clusters were identified in 17-year-olds who demonstrated some differences with biopsychosocial profiling. The finding of no association between cluster membership and neck pain and headaches challenges widely held beliefs about the role of posture in adolescent neck pain.

An exploration of familial associations of two movement pattern-derived subgroups of chronic disabling low back pain; a cross-sectional cohort study

BACKGROUND

Altered movement patterns with pain have been demonstrated in children, adolescents and adults with chronic disabling low back pain (CDLBP). A previously developed classification system has identified different subgroups including active extension and multidirectional patterns in patients with CDLBP. While familial associations have been identified for certain spinal postures in standing, it is unknown whether a familial relationship might exist between movement pattern-derived subgroups in families with CDLBP.

OBJECTIVES

This study explored whether familial associations in movement pattern-derived subgroups within and between members of families with CDLBP existed.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional cohort study.

METHOD

33 parents and 28 children with CDLBP were classified into two subgroups based on clinical analysis of video footage of postures and functional movements, combined with aggravating factors obtained from Oswestry Disability Questionnaire. Prevalence of subgroups within family members was determined, associations between parent and child's subgroup membership was evaluated using Fisher's exact test, and spearman's correlation coefficient was used to determine the strength of association between familial dyads.

RESULTS

The majority of parents were classified as active extenders, sons predominately multidirectional and daughters were evenly distributed between the two subgroups. No significant association was found when comparing subgroups in nine parent-child relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

The exploration of a small cohort of family dyads in this study demonstrated that children's movement pattern-derived subgroups could not be explained by their parents' subgroup membership. These results cannot be generalised to the CLBP population due to this study's small sample. Larger sample studies are needed to further elucidate this issue.

Screen-based media use clusters are related to other activity behaviours and health indicators in adolescents

Background

Screen-based media (SBM) occupy a considerable portion of young peoples’ discretionary leisure time. The aim of this paper was to investigate whether distinct clusters of SBM use exist, and if so, to examine the relationship of any identified clusters with other activity/sedentary behaviours and physical and mental health indicators.

Methods

The data for this study come from 643 adolescents, aged 14 years, who were participating in the longitudinal Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study through May 2003 to June 2006. Time spent on SBM, phone use and reading was assessed using the Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adults. Height, weight, muscle strength were measured at a clinic visit and the adolescents also completed questionnaires on their physical activity and psychosocial health. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to analyse groupings of SBM use.

Results

Three clusters of SBM use were found; C1 ‘instrumental computer users’ (high email use, general computer use), C2 ‘multi-modal e-gamers’ (both high console and computer game use) and C3 ‘computer e-gamers’ (high computer game use only). Television viewing was moderately high amongst all the clusters. C2 males took fewer steps than their male peers in C1 and C3 (-13,787/week, 95% CI: -4619 to -22957, p = 0.003 and -14,806, 95% CI: -5,306 to -24,305, p = 0.002) and recorded less MVPA than the C1 males (-3.5 h, 95% CI: -1.0 to -5.9, p = 0.005). There was no difference in activity levels between females in clusters C1 and C3.

Conclusion

SBM use by adolescents did cluster and these clusters related differently to activity/sedentary behaviours and both physical and psychosocial health indicators. It is clear that SBM use is not a single construct and future research needs to take consideration of this if it intends to understand the impact SBM has on health.

Investigation of Spinal Posture Signatures and Ground Reaction Forces During Landing in Elite Female Gymnasts

The link between static and dynamic landing lumbar postures, when gymnasts are exposed to large ground reaction forces, has not been established. This investigation aimed to (a) determine if a relationship exists between sagittal static and dynamic landing lumbar spine angles at peak ground reaction force (GRF) and (b) quantify how close to end-range postures the gymnasts were at landing peak GRF. Twenty-one female gymnasts’ upper and lower lumbar spine angles were recorded: statically in sitting and standing, during landing of three gymnastic skills, and during active end-range lumbar flexion. Pearson’s correlations were used to investigate relationships between the angles in different postures. Significant correlations (r= .77–.89,p< .01) were found between all the static/dynamic postures in the lower lumbar spine angle, while fewer and less significant upper lumbar spine correlations were reported. Thirty percent of gymnasts landed a backsault with their lower lumbar spine flexed beyond their active end-range while experiencing GRF 6.8–13.3 times their body weight. These results inform low back pain prevention and management strategies in this population and highlight areas for future research.