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Background/Objectives: Despite the growing popularity of training with a controlled form of vascular occlusion, known as blood flow restriction (BFR) training, in the rehabilitation of orthopedic patients and sports medicine, there remains ample space for understanding the basis of its mechanism. The pilot study assessed the effect of BFR during a low-load resistance training unit on knee flexor muscle fatigue, intending to decide whether a larger trial is needed and feasible. Methods: The study used a prospective, randomized, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Fifteen male healthy recreational athletes were randomly assigned to three equal groups: BFR Group, Placebo Group, and Control Group. The primary outcome was the change in the surface electromyography-based (sEMG-based) muscle fatigue index, which was determined by comparing the results obtained before and after the intervention. The intervention was the application of BFR during low-load resistance training for knee flexors. The occurrence of any adverse events was documented. Results: In all groups, the sEMG-based fatigue index for semitendinosus and biceps femoris muscles decreased after low-load resistance training, with the largest decrease in the BFR group. Although not statistically significant, BFR showed moderate and large effect sizes for the fatigue index of semitendinosus and biceps femoris, respectively. No adverse events were noted. Conclusions: The pilot study suggested that BFR during a low-load resistance training unit might affect knee flexor muscle fatigue, supporting the development of a larger randomized clinical trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Motion analysis systems have been widely used in orthopedics and rehabilitation for diagnostics, patient monitoring and outcome evaluation purposes. Since Microsoft Azure Kinect Developer Kit (DK) had been released, only a few studies were published concerning its usage. However, it has not been used for wrist motion assessments, even though the use of standardized examinations with known reliability, validity and responsiveness remains a constant challenge. Objectives. This study aimed to examine the reliability of hand and forearm range of motion (ROM) measurements recorded using new software utilizing the Microsoft Azure Kinect DK. Materials and methods. Twenty-eight healthy males and 28 healthy females participated in measurements of active ROM for wrist extension, wrist flexion, radial deviation, ulnar deviation, and forearm supination and pronation on 3 separate occasions. Sessions 1 and 2 were carried out on the same day with a 90-minute rest period between each session, while the 3rd session was conducted a week later. Data were recorded simultaneously in both limbs using a custom-made software developed by a software development company (Oleksy Medical & Sports Sciences, Łańcut, Poland) for the purposes of the present study using Microsoft Azure Kinect DK. The assessment of intra-day and inter-day reliability was based on intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) calculations and interpreted based on commonly used guidelines. Results. In the group of males, the lowest ICC was 0.846 for intra-day comparisons and 0.816 for inter-day analyses. In the female group, the lowest ICC for intra-day comparisons was 0.826 and exceeded 0.833 for inter-day comparisons. Conclusions. The developed software using Microsoft Azure Kinect DK demonstrated high reliability in measuring wrist and forearm active ROM. These promising results support the use of Microsoft Azure Kinect DK in a clinical capacity as a potential hand assessment and rehabilitation tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To assess the ability to work of Polish nurses by age groups. Background: The ability to work is widely discussed in the literature in the context of nurses' productivity; thus, it is necessary to identify the ability to work when facing an increasing demand for services. Methods: The observational study involved 349 professionally active nurses aged 46.9 ± 9.7 years, with a length of service of 23.5 ± 9.6 years. The Work Ability Index (WAI) was used to assess the nurses' ability to work. Results: The ability to work decreases with age (rs = −0.324, p <.000) and with seniority (rs = −0.257; p <.000). Nurses with higher education presented higher Work Ability Index scores. Also, the age (B = −0.25, p <.001), work seniority (B = −0.19, p <.001) and education (masters' degree: B = 1.41, p =.012; ref. secondary) affect work ability. Conclusions: The ageing process and seniority of nurses negatively affect their ability to work. A lack of programmes to maintain physical condition for nurses can result in a shortage of staff. Implications for nursing management: Programmes can be developed to create or improve healthy working environments to increase productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Nurses are extremely exposed to musculoskeletal overloads. Prolonged standing postural balance distributions, functional deficits and pain may affect the symmetry of the load on the feet. The study aimed to assess the distribution of foot load during gait among nurses. Methods: The sample of this prospective and observational study consisted of 37 female nurses with mean age of 39 years. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to evaluate musculoskeletal disturbances and baropodometric gait analysis (BGA) was performed to register distribution of foot load during gait. Results: We showed that 68% of nurses declare that they know the principles of workplace ergonomics, but only 14% comply with them. NMQ results indicate that as many as 73% of the respondents feel ailments in the "lower back" area. An asymmetry was observed in the load of IV‐V of the metatarsal head between the left and right foot (P =.000) and in the load of the left and right lateral part of the heel (P =.028) in the BGA test. Correlations between ailments occurring in the neck area and loading of the lateral arch of the right foot (P =.032) were found. Moreover, the load in this area correlated positively with the occurrence of "lower back" pain (P =.045). Conclusions: Nurses have asymmetric distribution of foot load during gait, which results in a discrepancy between the loads on the three main support points of the foot and which may affect nurses' work productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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