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To investigate the validity and reliability of using the Valedo® system to measure trunk Range of Motion (ROM) during performance of the streamlined Wolf Motor Function Test (SWMFT). Twenty chronic strokes and 20 age-matched healthy participants performed SWMFT while wearing Valedo® sensors on their trunks to capture trunk movements. A paired sample T-test was used to examine the validity of the system in distinguishing between the healthy and stroke group, and between the affected and unaffected sides in the stroke group. Interclass correlation coefficients were used to assess the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability (between-days) with 95% CI. The Valedo® system was able to distinguish between stroke and healthy participants; stroke participants employed greater trunk range of movements than the healthy controls in all tasks (p < .01). Furthermore, the Valedo® system enabled differentiation between affected and unaffected hands of people within the stroke group. The reliability for the stroke group was good to excellent with intrarater reliability (ICC = 0.71–0.92) and interrater reliability (ICC = 0.63–0.95). The Valedo system demonstrates an acceptable level of validity and reliability for measuring trunk ROM during the Streamlined Wolf Motor Function Test (SWMFT). Future studies with a larger sample size, different levels of upper limb impairment are warranted.

Inactive older adults tend to have decreased strength and balance compared with their more active peers. Playing golf has the potential to improve strength and balance in older adults. The aim of the study was to compare the strength and balance of recreational golfers with non-golfers, aged 65–79 years. Grip strength, single leg balance, and Y Balance Test (YBT) were assessed. Golfers (n = 57) had significantly (right, p = .042; left, p = .047) higher maximal grip strength, than non-golfers (n = 17). Single leg stance times were significantly longer in golfers (right, p = .021; left, p = .001). Normalized YBT reach distances were significantly greater for golfers than non-golfers for composite, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions on both right and left legs. Playing golf appears to be associated with better grip and both static and dynamic balance in 65–79 year olds, indicating that a study of the effects of playing golf is warranted through a larger, fully powered, longitudinal study.

Background: Manual wheelchair users are at high risk of developing shoulder pain. However, it is not known if restrictions to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus affected physical activity, wheelchair use and shoulder pain. Objective: The aim of the study is to determine whether COVID-19 related restrictions caused changes in physical activity levels and the presence of shoulder pain in persons who use a wheelchair. Methods: Manual wheelchair users completed a survey about the presence and severity of shoulder pain in a cross-sectional study design. Participants completed the Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire and were asked about daily wheelchair activity before and during lockdown. A logistic regression examined the relationship between increase in shoulder pain severity and change in activity levels. Results: Sixty respondents were included for analysis. There was no significant change in physical activity during lockdown. There was a significant reduction in number of hours of daily wheelchair use and number of chair transfers during lockdown. Of the respondents, 67% reported having shoulder pain and 22% reported their shoulder pain becoming more severe during lockdown. No significant relationship was observed between the change in activity levels and increasing severity of shoulder pain. Conclusion: Restrictions to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus resulted in no changes in physical activity levels in a sample of adult manual wheelchair users; however, there was a reduced time using a wheelchair each day and fewer chair transfers. The changes in wheelchair activities were not related to the worsening of shoulder pain.

Scapular dyskinesis is often observed in patients with neck pain. However, it is unknown whether clavicular, scapular and spinal kinematics vary with different types of scapular dyskinesis during arm movement.Are there differences in clavicular, scapular and spinal kinematics during unilateral arm elevation and lowering among neck pain patients presenting with (i) scapular winging, (ii) with dysrhythmia, (iii) with no scapular abnormality and (iv) healthy controls?Sixty participants with neck pain (20 in each group) and 20 asymptomatic controls were recruited. The 3D kinematic data were measured during unilateral arm elevation and lowering at 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° in the scapular plane. A three-way mixed-effects ANOVA was used to determine the main effects (group, phase and angle) and the interactions between three independent variables on the kinematic data.The neck pain group with scapular winging had decreased clavicular retraction and increased scapular internal rotation and anterior tilt compared to the other neck pain and control groups at all angles during both phases of arm movement (p 0.01). The neck pain group with scapular dysrhythmia had decreased scapular upward rotation compared to all other groups (p 0.01). Some alterations in the kinematics existed during the lowering phase compared to the raising phase for all groups (p 0.05). Spinal kinematics were similar across all groups (p 0.05).Specific patterns of clavicular and scapular kinematics were identified during arm movement relevant to the type of observed scapular dyskinesis in patients with neck pain. Such findings stand to inform more precise and relevant motor training in rehabilitation and improve understanding of the association between altered scapular kinematics and neck pain.

Clavicular and scapular orientations vary between neck pain patients as do clinical features and responses (changes in pain and rotation range) to scapular repositioning. Associations between these factors are unknown.To identify subgroups of neck pain patients based on three-dimensional (3D) measures of clavicular and scapular orientations and differences between subgroups in clinical characteristics and responses to scapular repositioning.Cross-sectional study.Eligible participants were recruited as part of a larger study. The 3D clavicular and scapular orientations were analyzed on the more painful side of the neck using a hierarchical cluster analysis. Clinical characteristics were neck pain location, intensity, duration, disability and presence of headache. Responses to scapular repositioning were classified as "yes and no".Fifty-eight participants (29 responsive; 29 non-responsive to scapular repositioning) participated in the study. Analysis identified two distinct subgroups: subgroup1 had greater clavicular retraction and scapular downward rotation (n = 26) and subgroup2 had greater clavicular elevation and scapular internal rotation and anterior tilt (n = 32). Headache and dominant pain in the upper neck were more frequent in subgroup 1 while dominant pain in the lower neck was frequent in subgroup 2 (p 0.01). Most participants who responded positively to scapular repositioning (88.5%) were in subgroup1 and most non-responsive participants (81.2%) in subgroup2.The 3D clavicular and scapular orientations identified two subgroups of neck pain patients. Participants with predominantly downward scapular rotation were distinguished by pain in the upper neck, presence of headache and a positive response to scapular repositioning.