Injury History, Sex, and Performance on the Functional Movement Screen and Y Balance Test

ContextResearch is limited regarding the effects of injury or surgery history and sex on the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Y Balance Test (YBT).ObjectiveTo determine if injury or surgery history or sex affected results on the FMS and YBT.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingAthletic training facilities.Patients or Other ParticipantsA total of 200 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I female (n = 92; age = 20.0 ± 1.4 years, body mass index = 22.8 ± 3.1 kg/m2) and male (n = 108; age = 20.0 ± 1.5 years, body mass index = 27.0 ± 4.6 kg/m2) athletes were screened; 170 completed the FMS, and 190 completed the YBT.Intervention(s)A self-reported questionnaire identified injury or surgery history and sex. The FMS assessed movement during the patterns of deep squat, hurdle step, in-line lunge, shoulder mobility, impingement-clearing test, straight-leg raise, trunk stability push-up, press-up clearing test, rotary stability, and posterior-rocking clearing test. The YBT assessed balance while participants reached in anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral directions.Main Outcome Measure(s)The FMS composite score (CS; range, 0–21) and movement pattern score (range, 0–3), the YBT CS (% lower extremity length), and YBT anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral asymmetry (difference between limbs in centimeters). Independent-samples t tests established differences in mean FMS CS, YBT CS, and YBT asymmetry. The Mann-Whitney U test identified differences in FMS movement patterns.ResultsWe found lower overall FMS CSs for the following injuries or surgeries: hip (injured = 12.7 ± 3.1, uninjured = 14.4 ± 2.3; P = .005), elbow (injured = 12.1 ± 2.8, uninjured = 14.3 ± 2.4; P = .02), and hand (injured = 12.3 ± 2.9, uninjured = 14.3 ± 2.3; P = .006) injuries and shoulder surgery (surgery = 12.0 ± 1.0, no surgery = 14.3 ± 2.4; P < .001). We observed worse FMS movement pattern performance for knee surgery (rotary stability: P = .03), hip injury (deep squat and hurdle: P < .042 for both), hip surgery (hurdle and lunge: P < .01 for both), shoulder injury (shoulder and hand injury: P < .02 for both), and shoulder surgery (shoulder: P < .02). We found better FMS movement pattern performance for trunk/back injury (deep squat: P = .02) and ankle injury (lunge: P = .01). Female athletes performed worse in FMS movement patterns for trunk (P < .001) and rotary (P = .01) stability but better in the lunge (P = .008), shoulder mobility (P < .001), and straight-leg raise (P < .001). Anterior asymmetry was greater for male athletes (P = .02).ConclusionsInjury history and sex affected FMS and YBT performance. Researchers should consider adjusting for confounders.

Esophageal Dysfunction in Patients with Contact Ulcer of the Larynx

Vocal abuse is the best-known etiological factor in contact ulcer. Other factors, such as hiatus hernia and gastroesophageal reflux have been discussed. A 12-year study of 58 male patients (mean age 52 years) with present or previous contact ulcers, is reported. Forty-three patients were investigated with esophageal function tests, ie, esophageal manometry including pH monitoring, acid-perfusion test, and acid-clearing test. Esophageal dysfunction was found in 74% which is significantly higher than the 30% found in the general population.

The Clinical Importance Of Heparin Assays In Plasma. Critical Aspects In Antixa Techniques

Different clotting assays for heparin measurement in plasma, based on AntiXa potentiating effect were studied, to determine the causes of variability in results in the currently used techniques. A modified 2 steps technique was also used (step I:0.1ml test plasma (PPP)+0.3ml buffer+0.1 mlXa.2' incubation at 37°C:step II: 0.1ml of step I mixtu- re+0.2ml of substrate plasma+CaCl 0.1ml. (Xa and VII-X defficitary bo vine plasma+cefalin: Thame, Oxon. Triz-Mal buffer,ionic strength 0.15, PH7.5 and CaCl 0.025M). Three modifications of the technique were used, varying test plasma treatment: a) using oxalated PPP, adsorbed with BaS04 b) like in a) plus heating it at 56°C 15'; c)using untreated plasma.Using a) assay (K dependant factors absent), straight regression lines and low variability of results was obtained, relating heparin concentrations to clotting times;usinga b) it was seen that heat diminishes AntiXa reactivity to hepa- riny using c)high variability in results was obtained. To show the difficulties in monitoring heparin in cases where Iox AntiXa concentrations, variable amounts of clotting factors and differents amounts of heparin might be present, a pool of normal plasmas, a normal plasma, and a cirrhotic one were compared, using the modified AntiXa assay in its 3 variations. Wide differences in results may be obtained while studying the cirrhotic plasma, using techniques that can vary AntiXa reactivity, or mask the real heparin in plasma, because of its variable content in K dependant factors.We did not find a way of clearing test plasma of K dependant factors when heparin is in it without altering heparin concentration or AntiXa reactivity.Thus, it is suggested, for clinical monitoring of the drug to use heated or untreated plasma, and to compare results with the same individuals plasma, studied under equal conditions, and not with a pool of normal plasmas, as common ly suggested.