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Purpose: Rotator cuff related shoulder pain is common among older adults. While exercise is often recommended for this condition, the relationship between physical activity levels and self-reported outcomes is unclear. This study investigated whether self-reported outcomes (pain, function, depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, general mental and physical health) relate to physical activity, and whether those who participated in shoulder-specific exercise had better self-reported outcomes than those who performed whole-body exercise. Methods: Forty-six participants with rotator cuff related shoulder pain participated from which 35 had complete datasets. Questionnaires were used to assess physical activity, pain, physical function, general health, and self-efficacy. Physical activity levels were also measured using an accelerometer. Results: Neither pain nor other self-reported outcomes were related to subjective or objective physical activity levels. Participants that completed shoulder-specific exercise had significantly higher exercise self-efficacy than those who completed nonspecific exercise (P =.01; d = 0.91). Conclusion: A significant relationship between pain or self-reported outcomes and physical activity was not identified. Those who self-reported regularly exercising their injured shoulder had higher exercise self-efficacy than those who did not. These findings have clinical implications, suggesting that strategies to boost exercise self-efficacy may be important for older adults with rotator cuff related shoulder pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fatty infiltration (FI) of the rotator cuff has important clinical implications. Quantitatively estimating FI using ultrasound (US) has considerable benefits for assessing FI in a non‐invasive, accessible manner. This research investigated whether FI of the supraspinatus (SS) and infraspinatus (IS), estimated using US was related to intramuscular fat fractions measured from magnetic resonance images (MRI). Methods: Data from 12 healthy young adult participants were used for analysis. US images of the SS and IS were captured using multiple transducer placement techniques from which echogenicity of the muscle region was quantified. Shoulder MRI were captured from which SS and IS were manually segmented and intramuscular fat fractions calculated. Six upper limb strength exertions were performed, resisted by a hand dynamometer. Results: IS and SS echogenicity explained a significant amount of variance in MRI fat fractions for certain body positions and transducer techniques. Echogenicity agreement was higher for IS than SS. Significant relationships were identified between strength exertions and both echogenicity and MRI muscle volume, but not MRI fat fraction. Conclusions: This research provides preliminary evidence showing that quantitative‐based US methods can be used to estimate MRI calculated fat fractions for the rotator cuff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim was to review the biomechanical origins of occupational shoulder damage, while considering the complexity of shoulder mechanics and musculoskeletal consequences of diverse task demands. Background: Accessible measures of physical exposures are the primary focus of occupational shoulder assessments and analyses. This approach has led to guidelines and intervention strategies that are often inadequate for mitigating shoulder disorders amongst the complexity of modern workplace demands. Integration of complex shoulder mechanics into occupational assessments, analyses, and interventions is critical for reducing occupational shoulder injury risk. Method: This narrative review describes shoulder biomechanics in the context of common injury mechanisms and consequent injuries, with a particular focus on subacromial impingement syndrome. Several modulators of shoulder injury risk are reviewed, including fatigue, overhead work, office ergonomics considerations, and pushing and pulling task configurations. Results: Relationships between work requirements, muscular demands, fatigue, and biomechanical tissue loads exist. This review highlights that consideration of specific workplace factors should be integrated with our knowledge of the intricate arrangement and interpersonal variability of the shoulder complex to proactively evaluate occupational shoulder demands and exposures. Conclusion: A standard method for evaluating shoulder muscle exposures during workplace tasks does not exist. An integrated approach is critical for improved work design and prevention of shoulder tissue damage and accompanying disability. Application: This review is particularly relevant for researchers and practitioners, providing guidance for work design and evaluation for shoulder injury prevention by understanding the importance of the unique and complex mechanics of the shoulder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study examined whether aspects of diet and nutrition risk explain variance in physical capacity and general health, after controlling for covariates, in Canadian adults with osteoarthritis (OA).Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of baseline data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). Data from 1,404 participants with hand, hip, and/or knee OA were included. A series of regression analyses were conducted with independent variables of food intake (fiber and high calorie snack intake) and nutrition risk; and dependent variables of physical capacity and general health. Physical capacity was characterized through grip strength and a pooled index of four mobility tests. General health was characterized through an index of self-reported general health, mental health, and healthy aging.Results: Higher fiber intake was related to greater mobility (p = .01). Food intake was not related to any other outcome. Nutrition risk was significantly associated with mobility (p < .001) and general health (p < .001); those with a high nutrition risk classification had poorer general health (p < .001, d = 0.65) than those at low nutrition risk. As well, those with moderate nutrition risk had poorer general health than those with low nutrition risk (p = .001, d = 0.31).Conclusions: Nutrition risk screening for older adults with OA provides insight into behavioral characteristics associated with reduced mobility and poorer general health. Also, those consuming greater amounts of fiber demonstrated better mobility. Thus, this research suggests that quality of diet and nutritional behaviors can impact both physical and mental aspects of health in those with OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Among a variety of conservative and surgical options to treat anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, we do not understand which options could potentially prevent knee osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this systematic review was to examine the evidence pertaining to exercise treatment of ACL injuries in the context of knee OA. Methods: Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PubMed, and PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) databases were systematically searched using keywords encompassed within four primary key terms: knee, osteoarthritis, anterior cruciate ligament, and exercise. Clinical studies evaluating the effect of an exercise treatment for ACL injuries on the development of knee OA in adult humans were included. The PEDro scale was used to critically assess the studies included in the review. Results: Eighteen studies were included in this review, with a median PEDro score of 6/11 (range, 2/11-9/11). Three studies provided statistical evidence that exercise following ACL injury lowered the risk for knee OA development. Nine studies demonstrated no benefit of exercise in preventing knee OA incidence relative to either operative treatment or the contralateral, unaffected knee. However, exercise resulted in higher knee instability. Nonetheless, there were no significant differences in subjective or objective knee outcomes for early versus late ACL reconstruction. Limitations: This review was not registered through PROSPERO. Conclusion: The relationship between a rehabilitative exercise for ACL injuries and long-term knee OA prevalence is inconclusive. However, research suggests initial conservative treatment with optional late ACL reconstruction because this treatment strategy may reduce the risk of knee OA. More research, ideally randomized controlled trials or comparable designs, is required prior to establishing clinical guidelines for ACL injury management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Among a variety of conservative and surgical options to treat anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, we do not understand which options could potentially prevent knee osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this systematic review was to examine the evidence pertaining to exercise treatment of ACL injuries in the context of knee OA., Methods: Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PubMed, and PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) databases were systematically searched using keywords encompassed within four primary key terms: knee, osteoarthritis, anterior cruciate ligament, and exercise. Clinical studies evaluating the effect of an exercise treatment for ACL injuries on the development of knee OA in adult humans were included. The PEDro scale was used to critically assess the studies included in the review., Results: Eighteen studies were included in this review, with a median PEDro score of 6/11 (range, 2/11-9/11). Three studies provided statistical evidence that exercise following ACL injury lowered the risk for knee OA development. Nine studies demonstrated no benefit of exercise in preventing knee OA incidence relative to either operative treatment or the contralateral, unaffected knee. However, exercise resulted in higher knee instability. Nonetheless, there were no significant differences in subjective or objective knee outcomes for early versus late ACL reconstruction., Limitations: This review was not registered through PROSPERO., Conclusion: The relationship between a rehabilitative exercise for ACL injuries and long-term knee OA prevalence is inconclusive. However, research suggests initial conservative treatment with optional late ACL reconstruction because this treatment strategy may reduce the risk of knee OA. More research, ideally randomized controlled trials or comparable designs, is required prior to establishing clinical guidelines for ACL injury management., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.