Reliability and criterion-related validity of the Cooper test in pre-adolescents and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The Cooper test (CT) is used to assess cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in pre-adolescents and adolescents, although it was originally developed to assess healthy adults. The aim of this study is to examine the available scientific evidence on the reliability and criterion validity of CT when administered to pre-adolescents and adolescents. Systematic searches were performed in three electronic databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, SPORTDiscuss and Scopus). To examine reliability and validity, four separate meta-analyses were implemented, finding high heterogeneity in studies with low methodological quality. There was a paucity of research regarding absolute reliability, while studies attempting to develop or cross-validate VO2max/VO2peak equations were almost non-existent. Information on the psychometric properties of CT in pre-adolescents under 12 years of age is scarce. The findings of this review cast doubt on the usefulness of CT both in identifying CRF and in determining the impact of strategies developed to improve CRF among pre-adolescents and adolescents.

Prevalence and severity of urinary incontinence among male and female competitors and recreational CrossFit® practitioners

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the prevalence, severity and type of urinary incontinence (UI) in female and male CrossFit® practitioners.

STUDY DESIGN

The study design is an online cross-sectional survey distributed to CrossFit® practitioners across all Spanish regions. The questionnaire included categorical questions related to CrossFit® practice, multiple-choice questions to determine the exercises performed during reported UI symptoms, and The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short-Form questionnaire items.

RESULTS

Five hundred seventy-one practitioners (34.0 ± 8.37 years, Body Mass Index 24.20 ± 3.34 kg/m²) met inclusion criteria and completed the survey. There were and 316 females and 255 males. Around 45 % of women and 6 % of men reported having UI (p < 0.001). The severity of UI mainly was slight (30.3 % women, 3.5 % men) and moderate (11.7 % women, 2.3 % men) (p < 0.001). Stress and urgent UI were the most prevalent types among women (36 %) and men (5 %) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that UI is relatively common among female CrossFit® practitioners, especially in repetitive jumps. The practitioners' profile (amateur/competitor) does not affect the prevalence or severity of UI. Male athletes can also experience urine leakage while performing CrossFit®, although its prevalence is much lower when compared to female practitioners.

Feasibility and reliability of the Functional Movement Screen battery in adults with intellectual disability

BACKGROUND

The feasibility and reliability of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) battery for predicting injury risk have been widely studied in athletic, military, public service and healthy populations. However, scant research has been carried out in people with disabilities. This study aimed at identifying the feasibility and reliability of the FMS battery when administered to adults with intellectual disability (ID).

METHODS

Adults from a residential and day care centre over 18 years of age, diagnosed with ID and able to follow simple instructions, were included in the study. All participants with behavioural or health problems that prevented the completion of the FMS battery were excluded. All exercises were video recorded to assure proper scoring. Three assessors (one trained and two novices) scored each of the FMS subtests performed separately from the videos. Feasibility was based on completion rates. Reliability of the composite test scores was analysed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).

RESULTS

A total of 30 people with ID (mean age: 35.5 ± 7.12 years; 33.3% women) completed all assessments. The battery showed to be feasible, although difficulties when performing two of the subtests were observed among those with moderate and severe ID. Mean total scores from the three assessors ranged from 7.83 to 8.90. An inverse trend was observed indicating that the higher the ID level, the lower the total FMS score. Test-retest reliability was good for the trained assessor (ICC = 0.89) and mostly moderate for both novice assessors (ICC range: 0.60 to 0.76). Moderate to good inter-rater reliability was observed (ICC range: 0.65 to 0.80).

CONCLUSION

The FMS battery is a reliable tool that can be performed by people with ID, albeit with certain difficulties, especially in those with moderate to severe impairment. The battery does not seem to be useful for identifying people with ID at risk of suffering a sport injury. Adequately powered, well-designed studies are required to determine if the FMS battery is appropriate for identifying changes in functional performance in this population.

Physiotherapy for freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Freezing of gait (FOG) is one of the most severe symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Physiotherapy treatment could be an effective strategy for treating FOG, but no systematic review has been carried out in this regard.

AIM

To identify the characteristics, methodological quality, and main outcomes of the studies that have analyzed the effects of physiotherapy interventions in FOG up to date, by performing a systematic review and a meta-analysis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Four electronic databases were searched in order to find randomized controlled trials that provided information regarding the effects of any kind of physiotherapy treatment on FOG. The methodological quality of the included investigations was assessed by means of the PEDro scale.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were identified for inclusion into the qualitative analysis, with four randomized controlled trials included in the final meta-analysis. The quality of the trials was generally good. Those physiotherapy modalities including cues were more effective for treating FOG than traditional physiotherapy approaches. The meta-analysis indicated that physiotherapy interventions had a significantly greater impact on FOG than control comparisons.

CONCLUSIONS

Physiotherapy treatment, especially those modalities including visual and auditory cueing, should be prescribed to PD patients with FOG. Future studies including PD patients with cognitive impairment and FOG objective measurement tools are need to complete the existing scientific evidence.

[Analysis of the convergent validity of the Spanish short version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (VREM) and the Spanish version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in elderly people (IPAQ-E)]

BACKGROUND

In our country the Spanish short version of the Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (VREM) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in elderly people (IPAQ-E) are considered useful tools for estimating the amount of physical activity (PA) performed by the geriatric population. However, few studies have been carried out on their psychometric properties. Therefore, this research aims to provide information on their convergent validity by analysing the degree of association that both questionnaires show with physical fitness level.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 105 people (mean age: 76.77 (SD=6.01) years; 84.8% women), answered both questionnaires and performed the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), in order to assess their physical fitness level.

RESULTS

Significant correlations were found between the SFT and the VREM items related to energy expenditure derived from walking (r=0.227) or from performing sports activities or dancing (r=0.235), and the estimated total energy expenditure (r=0.314). The IPAQ-E did not establish significant associations with any of the variables analysed. Although a certain a priori correlation was observed between the VREM and the IPAQ-E (r=0.447, p<0.001) and the mean difference between both parameters was nil (p=0.553), it was considered that the questionnaires showed a lack of agreement due to the great width found in the range of differences.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the VREM questionnaire is recommended for estimating the amount of PA performed by the geriatric population, as it shows a certain degree of association, albeit weak, with the level of physical fitness.

Systemic lupus erythematosus and exercise

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a rheumatic disease characterized by a variety of symptoms, especially fatigue, pain and reduced quality of life. Physical exercise is a useful tool for improving cardiovascular fitness, reducing metabolic abnormalities and fatigue and improving quality of life. However, very few studies have focused on the relationship between SLE and physical exercise. This paper reviews the main SLE symptoms that can be alleviated by exercising, as well as the results of studies seeking to analyse the exercise capacity and physical training possibilities of SLE patients. Considerations for future research are also discussed.

Potential benefits of non-pharmacological therapies in fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is an incurable common syndrome of non-articular origin, and with no effective treatment by now. A great deal of research has sought to assess the efficacy of different therapies, especially non-pharmacological and low-cost ones, in the reduction of the intensity of symptoms. Despite the availability of a wide range of alternative therapies nowadays, there is little scientific evidence of the potential benefits of most of them, with results being contradictories. The purpose of this paper is to review some of the less well known alternative therapies in FM treatment, to describe the more relevant clinical studies published in this matter, and to analyze the potential effects of the main alternative therapies, in order to verify their efficacy.

Batteries assessing health related fitness in the elderly: a brief review

Evaluation of physical functioning is a key issue in clinical geriatrics and in aging research. In recent years, different physical performance batteries in which individuals are asked to perform several tasks and are evaluated using different criteria have been designed and used in elderly populations. These batteries include different types of test which range from basic motor abilities to relevant everyday activities, depending on the construct area in the domain of physical function that must be measured. This paper reviews and classifies the main physical functioning batteries that can be found in the scientific field of aging research in order to provide knowledge on selection, administration, and interpretation of this indispensable assessment tools.

Relationship between aerobic fitness and quality of life in female fibromyalgia patients

Objective: To determine whether there is a direct link between quality of life and aerobic capacity among female fibromyalgia patients.

Design: Cross-section study.

Setting: University of León.

Subjects: Twenty-nine women belonging to the León Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Association.

Main measurements: Aerobic capacity and quality of life were measured by means of the Six-Minute Walk Test and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. Outcome measures included heart rate and rate of perceived fatigue and dypsnoea.

Results: The average distance walked was 432.8 (61.2) m and the total average Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire score was 47.5 (18.9). Only item 1 of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, physical function, showed any statistically significant link with the distance walked, which had no statistically significant relationship with any of the variables studied.

Conclusion: The physical fitness of women with fibromyalgia, as determined by the Six-Minute Walk Test and the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire, has no direct relation with quality of life as the patients perceive it.