Low Back Pain Among Weightlifting Adolescents and Young Adults

Simulation analysis of low back forces in Snatch and Clean & Jerk movements via digital human modelling

BACKGROUND

Weightlifting is an Olympic sport for dynamic strength and power, and requires the execution of different lifting techniques It is important to analyze the forces subjected to the lower back during weightlifting movements to prevent injuries. Digital Human Modeling (DHM) is a powerful tool that can be used to analyze and optimize the performance of humans while doing their work or activities.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to present a simulation analysis of the lower back forces during the execution of two weightlifting techniques: Snatch (SN) and Clean & Jerk (CJ), with different loads and for both genders.

METHODS

Digital Human modelling through JACK simulation package was used analyze the forces exerted on the lumbosacral area (L5-S1) of the lower back in order to determine the risk for low back injuries. The level of compression and shear forces recommended by the literature have been set as thresholds. The simulaitons were performed in male and female models, with loads from 20-100 kg.

RESULTS

The results show that any weight higher than 60 kg in both movements poses risk for the weightlifters in terms of compression and shear forces. It has been observed that weightlifters can lift greater loads in the CJ technique compared to the SN technique. Furthermore, females are able to lift higher loads with lower risk of injuries.

CONCLUSION

Weightlifting is a high-risk activity due to the high levels of shear and compression forces that the body is exposed to during the lifting techniques. Digital Human Modeling holds significant value due to their ability to facilitate the exploration of diverse conditions within a safe environment, devoid of any potential harm to human subjects.

Impact of Two Types of Fitness Programs on Soldier Physical Fitness

This study compared an expert supervised, fully resourced physical training (PT) program compared to a traditional physical training PT plan on Army Officer Candidate School (OSC) soldier fitness outcomes. This retrospective cohort study compared 228 OCS soldiers (179 male [26.74±3.78 years] and 49 female [26.55±4.18 years]) in two companies for 12 weeks. One company participated in a fully resourced PT program designed by fitness experts to improve overall fitness and mobility (TAP-C). One company participated in traditional physical training designed to excel on the Army combat fitness test (ACFT, includes deadlift, power throw, push up, sprint-drag-carry, core strength, run) developed and led by OCS soldiers with standard resources. We assessed performance on the ACFT events, and grip strength, standing broad jump, overhead squat, and 90/90 switch assessment. Analysis of covariance was used to compare main effects of company on ACFT measures, controlling for covariates of pretest score differences and sex. Results included a significant effect of group on ACFT performance (N=228), F(1, 223) = 12.8, p<0.001 and on performance of five of the six ACFT events: MDL, F(1, 223) = 5.44, p = 0.021; HRP, F(1, 223) = 11.67, p < 0.001; SDC, F(1, 223) = 20.06, p < 0.001; LTK, F(1, 223) = 16.95, p < 0.001; and 2MR, F(1, 223) = 23.76, p < 0.001. The traditional company performed significantly better on ACFT muscular, anerobic and aerobic endurance focused events; the TAP-C company performed significantly better on muscular strength/explosive power events and mobility assessments.

Back pain in adolescent athletes: a narrative review

BACKGROUND

Back pain in young athletes is common. Adolescents are at an increased risk for back pain related to several factors including rapid growth. Traditionally, the conversation around back pain in the adolescent age group has been centered around diagnosis and treatment; however, there are emerging studies regarding prevention.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present investigation is to summarize sport-specific risk factors, to describe the growing emphasis on prevention/screening, and report results on minimally invasive and surgical options.

METHODS

The literature search was performed in Mendeley. Search fields were varied until redundant. All articles were screened by title and abstract and a preliminary decision to include an article was made. The full-text screening was performed on the selected articles. Any question regarding the inclusion of an article was discussed by at least 3 authors until an agreement was reached.

RESULTS

Adolescent athletes have a higher risk of developing spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis than their non-athletic counterparts. Participation in athletic activity alone, increased body mass index, varsity status, and nationally/internationally competitive status are identified are demographic risk factors. Weightlifters, gymnasts, football players, and combat athletes may be at higher risks. Increased lumbar lordosis, abdominal muscle weakness, hip flexor tightness, hamstring tightness, thoracolumbar fascia tightness, femoral anteversion, genu recurvatum, and thoracic kyphosis also predispose. Recent cadaveric and kinematic studies have furthered our understanding of pathoanatomic. There is some evidence to suggest that isokinetic testing and electromyographic data may be able to identify at-risk individuals. Perturbation-based exercise interventions can reduce the incidence of adolescent athletic back pain. There is a large body of evidence to support the efficacy of physical therapy. There is some data to support minimally invasive treatments including external bone growth simulators, steroid injections, and chemonucleolysis for specific pathologies. Endoscopic surgery results for a limited subset of patients with certain disease processes are good.

CONCLUSIONS

Back pain in adolescent athletes is common and may not lead to appropriate alterations in athletes' level of participation. Athletes with a higher body mass index should be counseled regarding the benefits of losing weight. Isokinetic testing and electromyographic data have the potential as diagnostic and screening tools. Strength deficits and postural control could be used to identify patients requiring early intervention and thus reduce the incidence. External bone growth simulators, steroid injections, and chemonucleolysis could potentially become conservative options in the future. When surgery is indicated, the endoscopic intervention has the potential to decrease operative time, decrease cost, and promote healing.

Low Back Pain: A Comprehensive Review on the Diagnosis, Treatment Options, and the Role of Other Contributing Factors

BACKGROUND: In recent years, low back pain (LBP) is a growing major health issue around the world and mostly addressed in primary healthcare settings. This may be due to changing work environment including the nature of long sitting work hours, especially in the booming information and technology (IT) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industry. LBP is normally considered as a combination of various types of pain and its related conditions, which eventually lead to disabilities. AIM: In this article, the aim is to discuss the current and future perspectives of LBP mainly on diagnosis and therapeutic front of LBP. METHODS: A search was performed using electronic databases, which include PubMed Central and Google Scholar, using the related key words “back pain and low back pain.” All related peer reviewed published articles were included regardless of the language, region, or the publication date. RESULTS: Although the management of LBP both in terms of diagnosis as well as in the therapeutic options has witnessed considerable progress but challenges are still exist not only within countries but also in the regions and continents among various medical professionals. However, in the past few years, a huge array of coordinated but randomized multi-center clinical studies were performed and various detailed insight investigations have been done, and substantial clinical guidelines have become available. Hence, a new view on evidence-based management approach for LBP has significantly improved recently and discussed here. CONCLUSION: Based on the available evidence and literature, this comprehensive review discusses the present and future perspectives of LBP mainly on diagnosis and therapeutic front for LBP. In addition, current intervention and prevention plans have failed to lessen the considerable burden of LBP and hence several areas which require more details, which deserves additional discussion to augment us through an understanding of this very important topic on improvements of multi tasked outcomes to benefit the affected patients.

Spanish Costaleros' Physical Activity and Their Quality of Life

(1) Physical activity is one of the most influencing factors in people’ quality of life. Likewise, the costaleros of the Holy Week of Andalusia (Spain) carry out an important effort with high intensity during an extended time without any preparation. This study was the aim of knowing the intensity of the physical activity practiced by the costaleros in relation to their quality of life. (2) A transversal study was carried out with 1057 costaleros in Andalusia (Spain), where 930 were male and 127 female, between the ages of 18–61 years old (31.26 ± 7.60). For this purpose, descriptive, inferential, and correlative analyses were developed. Accelerometers (ActiGraph) were used during the procession to know the intensity of physical activity and the SF-36 test to know the self-perceived state of health and quality of life. (3) The intensity of physical activity practiced by costaleros is moderate, and it is related with their quality of life. In addition, positive associations are found between general health and physical activity. (4) Participants’ quality of life is associated with physical activity and freedom from injury. In addition, the measurement by accelerometry provides real data on the intensity of the effort made.