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The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy (reliability and validity) of a digital smartphone inclinometer app' as compared to standard goniometry for assessing weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DROM) in an athletic population. Nine physically active female and six male volunteers (mean age = 26.5 ± 6.2 years; range = 19-37 years, height = 1.73 ± 0.85 m, mass = 76.5 ± 18.6 kg) participated in this study. Ankle DROM was assessed using three methods: i) knee-to-wall; ii) standard goniometer; iii) a smartphone inclinometer application (app'). All three methods were found to be highly reliable for both the right and left ankle (p < 0.001; ICC = 0.950). Further, the inclinometer app' was strongly correlated with the goniometer (r² = 82-97%), with high levels of agreement and low levels of bias confirming its validity. These findings demonstrate the potential of this convenient digital technology. Such technology may provide strength and conditioning coaches with another tool that allows rapid and reliable large-scale screening of athletic populations as it relates to functional assessment of ankle DROM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To establish the correlation between scores of ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DROM) when assessed using a knee-towall assessment score and standard extendable joint goniometer. Study Design Foot to shank ratio influence was assessed on two separate occasions by the same rater using two measures of ankle DROM ie, i) the knee-to-wall assessment linear score, and ii) the joint angle recorded with a standard extendable joint goniometer. Participants Nine females and six males (combined mean age = 26.5 ± 6.2 yr; range = 19-37 years, height = 1.73 ± 0.85 m, mass = 76.5 ± 18.6 kg) volunteered to participate in this study. Methods Foot and shank length was determined prior to assessment of ankle DROM. Following a standardised warm-up, ankle DROM was assessed using two methods: i) knee-to-wall method; ii) and standard extendable joint goniometer. Measures were taken twice with each technique and on two separate occasions. Measurement of ankle DROM alternated between each ankle (ie, one measurement taken on the right ankle followed by one measurement on the left ankle and then repeated), with the first measure on both test occasions being the knee-to-wall assessment. Results A significant positive correlation was found between foot length and shank length for both right (p < 0.001, r = .877) and left (p < 0.001, r = .880) side. No other significant correlations were found between all other variables (p > 0.05). Conclusion Findings indicate that neither the length of the foot nor the length of the shank influences ankle joint mobility. Further, their relative lengths, as determined by a foot-to-shank length ratio, had no impact on ankle DROM when measured using the knee-to-wall assessment method. As a result, either assessment method can be used with confidence by clinicians and sports trainers to determine ankle DROM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South African teachers leave teaching due to factors such as lack of support and adverse working conditions. This study investigated rural teachers’ resilience experiences of teaching in a resource-constrained school. A life history design was used to generate data. The research site was visited six times over 20 months. Fifteen interview–conversations were collected and transcribed. The results indicate that the teachers faced chronic poverty as life-span risks. The teachers listed the unstable education system, resource-constrained teaching environment and chronic adversity as risk factors in their environment. They were also concerned with the illiteracy of parents and demotivated students. Significantly, this study shows how rural teachers fostered hope despite chronic adversity in order to be resilient in their chosen profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite the popularity of dragon boat racing there is little information on typical injuries and health conditions prevalent in crews. Methods: Posture, anthropometry, joint range of motion, muscular strength and endurance, and pre-training anxiety were assessed in a female dragon boat crew. Paddling-associated and historical musculoskeletal injuries, health conditions and training session details were recorded prior to physical assessment. Musculoskeletal pain and stiffness were rated using a 0-10 Likert scale. Anxiety was assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: Twenty two female paddlers volunteered to participate, 27.3 % of who were breast cancer survivors. Cardiovascular conditions and controlled hypertension were reported by 22.7% of participants; osteoarthritis and bursitis/tendinitis by 40.9%. The most common injuries were those to the lumbar spine (40.9%), shoulder (45.5%), knee (45.4%) and wrist (31.8%). The most commonly occurring sites of paddlingrelated pain were the hip (67%), the shoulder (60%), the neck (50%), and the knee (20 %) with 55.6% of bursitis/tendinitis paddling-related. The shoulder was the most restricted joint (right shoulder, -3.5 ± 6 cm; left shoulder, -2.6 ± 7 cm); the psoas was the weakest muscle group (0 -- 5 manual muscle test grade, right, 3.5 ± 0.8; left, 3.6 ± 0.6). Twenty five percent of paddlers reported high measures of State and Trait anxiety. The number of health conditions and injuries were positively correlated (r = 0.689) with Trait (p = 0.002) but not State anxiety (p = 0.06). Discussion: Dragon boat paddlers report a high prevalence of historical and sport-related injuries which may affect training or competition. Shoulder and hip pain may be due to poor paddling biomechanics. Muscle imbalances or weakness may contribute to injuries and also affect paddling technique. Conclusion: Poor paddling technique and higher levels of Trait anxiety may contribute to increased risk of musculoskeletal injury, re-injury and performance-related stress. There is a need for individual musculoskeletal screening and interventions to improve strength, flexibility, paddling technique, and to reduce stress appraisals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on aspects related to impact of shant to foot length ratio on knee to wall ankle performance. Topics discussed include assessment of dorsiflexion range of motion (DROM) and establishment of linear measurement, application of goniometer, and production of linear score.