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Objective. Many survivors of COVID-19 experience ongoing signs and symptoms affecting multiple body systems that impair function and negatively affect participation and quality of life. The purpose of this review was to identify and synthesize outpatient rehabilitation assessment and treatment recommendations for adults in postacute COVID-19 stages. Methods. MEDLINE (Ovid), EMBASE (Ovid), Central, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched from January 1, 2020, to December 7, 2020. Teams of 2 reviewers independently assessed study eligibility and extracted data. All study designs that included rehabilitation recommendations were included. Study design, country, study population, purpose, and rehabilitation recommendations were recorded. Select questions from the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation instrument were used to evaluate the quality of consensus guidelines. Results. Forty-eight articles fit the inclusion and exclusion criteria (11 systematic reviews, 1 scoping review, 6 original research studies, 4 consensus guidelines, 26 narrative reviews, and editorials/commentaries). Recommended outcomes included exercise tolerance, respiratory function, muscle strength, and activities of daily living or functional independence. Recommended treatments included respiratory rehabilitation, exercise therapy, education, psychological support, activities of daily living and gait training, traditional Chinese medicine, and cognitive and vocational rehabilitation. Conclusion. There were incongruities between what is known about postacute COVID-19 and what was recommended in the literature. Given the relatively large proportion of survivors who experience ongoing symptomatic COVID-19 or post-COVID-19 syndrome, it is important to quickly develop tools for self-management and access to rehabilitation specialists in multidisciplinary teams. Impact. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and respiratory therapists have an important role to play. Clinicians should focus on epidemiological evidence and emerging information on late sequelae of COVID-19 to inform rehabilitation programming and future research. Keywords: Exercise, Outcome Assessment (Health Care), Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Introduction As of April 1, 2021, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has infected more than 128 million people worldwide and claimed the lives [...]

Objective. Physical therapists play an important role in responding to pandemic and physical disaster situations. Existing literature can provide guidance to health care leadership teams to appropriately and safely leverage physical therapy resources and skill sets during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to provide a review of the pandemic and physical disaster management literature to summarize physical therapy-specific operational considerations to assist hospital-based leadership teams in planning and response efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. A rapid review was conducted over a 4-week time frame (April-May 2020). The review team included 3 physical therapist clinician researchers, a health librarian, and a member of the physical therapy leadership team. The initial search strategy identified 303 articles, 80 of which were retained for full-text screening. Twenty articles were included in the review. Results. Five main categories of operational considerations for physical therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic were identified: (1) organizational actions, (2) staffing considerations, (3) physical therapist roles, (4) physical resources, and (5) other considerations. Additional relevant information from physical therapists' experiences in physical disaster situations was also summarized. Conclusion. The evidence presented within this review can be used to inform facility-based and regional planning efforts during the current COVID-19 pandemic and in general preparedness planning. Impact. Physical therapists have an important role to play in response efforts related to major events that impact health and wellness, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence-informed, facility-based, and regional planning during the current COVID-19 pandemic will help physical therapists enhance their role in treating patients in physical therapy and rehabilitation settings., On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) a pandemic, (1) prompting individuals, businesses, organizations, and professions to dramatically reexamine daily practices and routines. [...]

We thank Liu et al. for their interest in our paper (1) and for initiating an important discussion about using Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) tools to [...]

Loss of neuromuscular mass, strength (force-generating capacity), and power (work produced per unit of time or product of strength and speed) are closely associated with functional decline, loss of independence, [...], Background. Ankle strength (force-generating capacity) and power (work produced per unit of time or product of strength and speed) capabilities influence physical function (eg, walking, balance) in older adults. Although strength and power parameters frequently are measured with dynamometers, few studies have examined the reliability of measurements of different types of contractions. Objective. The purpose of this study was to examine relative and absolute intrarater reliability of isometric, isotonic, and isokinetic ankle measures in older women. Design. This was a prospective, descriptive methodological study. Methods. The following dorsiflexion (DF) and plantar-flexion (PF) measures were assessed twice (7 days apart) by the same examiner in 30 older women (mean age = 73.3 years, SD = 4.7): isometric peak torque and rate of torque development (RTD), isotonic peak velocity, average acceleration and peak power, and isokinetic peak torque and peak power (30°/s and 90°/s). Several statistical methods were used to examine relative and absolute reliability. Results. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for the DF tests (ICC = .76-.97) were generally higher than ICCs for matched PF tests (ICC = .58-.93). Measures of absolute reliability (eg, coefficient of variation of the typical error [[CV.sub.TE]]) also demonstrated more reliable values for DF tests (5%-18%) compared with PF tests (7%-37%). Isotonic peak velocity tests at minimal loads were associated with the lowest [CV.sub.TE] and ratio limits of agreement values for both DF (5% and 14%, respectively) and PF (7% and 18%, respectively). Isometric RTD variables were the least reliable ([CV.sub.TE] = 16%-37%). Limitations. This study was limited to a relatively homogeneous sample of older women. Conclusions. Test-retest reliability was adequate for determining changes at the group level for all strength and power variables except isometric RTD. Minimal detectable change scores were determined to assist clinicians in assessing meaningful change over time in ankle strength and power measurements within individuals.

Strength level deficits have been found to exist for certain contraction types and ranges of motion between the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and control groups. They were dependent on autograft donor site. Specific rehabilitation protocols should be developed, depending on donor site. A study was carried out to look at the strength of knee flexors and knee extensors after two surgical techniques of ACL reconstruction and to compare them to an age- and activity-level-matched control group.

The study determines the effects of power training on foot movement time and on ankle strength and power in mobility-impaired older women. Evidence indicates high-velocity/low-load (elastic bands) training improves movement time, which could have implications in situations where rapid generation of torque is required.