Marie Alricsson

Physical exercise ameliorates deficits induced by traumatic brain injury

The extent and depth of traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a major determining factor together with the type of structural insult and its location, whether mild, moderate or severe, as well as the distribution and magnitude of inflammation and loss of cerebrovascular integrity, and the eventual efficacy of intervention. The influence of exercise intervention in TBI is multiple, ranging from anti‐apoptotic effects to the augmentation of neuroplasticity. Physical exercise diminishes cerebral inflammation by elevating factors and agents involved in immunomodulatory function, and buttresses glial cell, cerebrovascular, and blood–brain barrier intactness. It provides unique non‐pharmacologic intervention that incorporate different physical activity regimes, whether dynamic or static, endurance or resistance. Physical training regimes ought necessarily to be adapted to the specific demands of diagnosis, type and degree of injury and prognosis for individuals who have suffered TBI.

Reliability of sports related functional tests with emphasis on speed and agility in young athletes.

The aim of the present investigation was to test the reliability of two sports related functional tests, a speed test (slalom‐test) and an agility test (hurdle‐test). Eleven athletes aged 11 years (8 boys, 3 girls) participated voluntarily in the study. All subjects completed four different test sessions for both the slalom‐test and the hurdle‐test using six standard track hurdles placed at 2‐m intervals along a 12‐m length of track. There were no significant differences between testing sessions for either the slalom‐test (P=0.99) or the hurdle‐test (P=0.96), showing no systematic variation between test times. The intraclass correlation coefficients were 0.96 and 0.90 respectively, indicating a good reliability. We conclude that the slalom‐test and the hurdle‐test are reliable sports related functional tests for measuring speed and agility in groups of young athletic individuals.

Back to work--evaluation of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme with emphasis on musculoskeletal disorders. A two-year follow-up.

Purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the 2-year outcome of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme for working-age people, regarding sick leave and mental health. Method. The test persons consisted of 40 women and 20 men (mean age 46.8 ± SD 7.9) with musculoskeletal disorders, mainly neck and back pain. The rehabilitation programme was individually adapted and consisted of physical activity in several forms, relaxation, theoretical and practical education and individual guidance. Before, during and after the programme all participants were evaluated with the Global Self-Efficacy Index, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and stress test. Results. At the 2-year follow-up full-time sick leave had decreased by 37% (p < 0.0001) in the women, and by 25% (p < 0.05) in the men. Both women and men showed an increased quality of life (QoL) and decreased anxiety, depression and self-experienced stress at the 2-year follow-up compared with the start of the rehabilitation programme. Conclusions. The most important conclusion was that the effects of the rehabilitation programme persisted for up to 2 years. At 2 years the majority of the participants were still physically active, their QoL was increased, and most participants had returned to work.

Young elite cross-country skiers and low back pain—A 5-year study

OBJECTIVES To evaluate possible changes in spinal curvature over a period of 5 years of an elite cross-country skiing squad, and to study whether there are any differences in this respect between individuals who report low back pain and those how do not. PARTICIPANTS Fifteen young cross-country skiers (M age=13.6±0.9) participated voluntarily throughout the entire study period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Debrunners kyphometer was used for measuring the difference between thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis of the spine. All subjects also answered a questionnaire including questions about ski-related low back pain, the amount of ski training, and participation in other sports. RESULTS The results at the end of the 5-year period comprise data from 15 skiers (M age=18.5±0.9 years). The relationship between thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis increased from 3.5° to 13.1°, respectively (p=0.0001). Of the 15 elite cross-country skiers, seven reported low back pain at the 5-year examination. At the 5-year follow-up, skiers with low back pain showed significantly higher relationship between thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis than did those skiers without low back pain, 18.2° and 10.5°, respectively (p=0.035). Of the eight elite cross-country skiers without low back pain, seven were also involved in other sports (p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS Based on these findings, our advice is that adolescent cross-country skiers also should participate in other physical activities besides cross-country skiing.

The effect of pre-season dance training on physical indices and back pain in elite cross-country skiers: a prospective controlled intervention study

Objective: To evaluate the effect of pre-season dance training on back pain, joint mobility, and muscle flexibility, and on speed and agility in elite cross-country skiers. Methods: 26 skiers participated (mean (SD) age, 19 (3.9) years). An intervention group (n = 16) had 12 weeks of dance training; a control group (n = 10) did not dance; otherwise both groups followed a similar pre-season physical training programme. Joint mobility and muscle flexibility of the spine, hip, and ankle were measured. Two sports related functional tests (slalom and hurdle) were also done. All measurements/tests were carried out before and after the dancing period. Results: Four (of six) subjects from the intervention group who initially complained of ski related back pain did not report back pain after the dance training; the three subjects with back pain from the control group were unchanged. At study onset the intervention group had a slightly impaired range of motion in the spine compared with the control group. After dance training, there was a better relation between kyphosis of the thoracic spine and lordosis of the lumbar spine, and a 7.1° increase in hip flexion with the knee extended (p = 0.02). In the control group hip extension decreased by 0.08 m on average (p = 0.01). No positive effects of dance training on sports related functional tests were observed. Conclusions: Preseason dance training improved the range of hip motion and joint mobility and the flexibility of the spine. These improvements might explain the reduction in ski related back pain in the intervention group.

The effect of dance training on joint mobility, muscle flexibility, speed and agility in young cross-country skiers, : a prospective controlled intervention study.

We evaluated a short‐term (3 months) and a long‐term (8 months) effect of dance training on joint mobility and muscle flexibility of the spine, hip and ankle and on speed and agility in young cross‐country skiers. Twenty elite cross‐country skiers – aged 12–15 years – participated in the study. Five males and five females received dance training (intervention group) and five males and five females did not dance (reference group). Joint mobility and muscle flexibility of the spine, hip and ankle joints were measured using a goniometer, a kyphometer, a measuring tape and a ruler. Two sports‐related functional tests – the slalom‐test and the hurdle‐test – were also performed. These measurements/tests were performed before the start of the dancing period and after 3 and 8 months. The subjects from the intervention group increased their speed with 0.3 s after 3 (P = 0.05) and 8 months (P = 0.02), respectively, when measured with the slalom‐test. They also improved their speed and agility according to the hurdle‐test after 3 months with 0.8 s (P = 0.000) and 8 months with 0.6 s (P = 0.01). Furthermore, they increased flexion–extension of the thoracic spine with 7.5° after 3 months (P = 0.05) and with 9°° after 8 months (P = 0.03) and lateral flexion of the spine with 0.04 m (P = 0.005) and 0.03 m (P = 0.02) after 3 and 8 months, respectively. The reference group was impaired or unchanged in the studied parameters after both 3 and 8 months. We conclude that dance training has a positive effect on speed and agility and on joint mobility and muscle flexibility in flexion–extension and lateral flexion of the spine in young cross‐country skiers.

Physical activity, health, body mass index, sleeping habits and body complaints in Australian senior high school students.

UNLABELLED Adolescents in the industrial world are becoming less physically active and are increasingly adopting a sedentary life-style in front of computers and television screens. OBJECTIVE to determine self-related health, physical activity, sleeping habits, prevalence of overweight, and body complaints in Australian senior high school students. METHODS Participants were 466 high school students aged 15-17 years enrolled in academic and vocational programs. A questionnaire was completed at two senior high schools with questions about weight and height, health, physical activity, type of physical activity/sport, intensity, sleeping habits, and possible injuries or complaints during the last three months. RESULTS Seventy seven percent of the high school students participated in sports on a regular basis. Compared with vocational programs, more males and females in academic programs participated in sports (71% and 80% respectively) (p = .036). Males reported significantly better health than females (p < .0001). 65% of the study group reported body complaints during the last 3 months. A higher number of females than males reported complaints about the back (p = .007) and the hip (p = .05). Good sleep was reported in 82.1% of males and in 76.6% of females. In males, 44.3% were often sleepy in the daytime (females 56.6%, p < .01). CONCLUSIONS Underweight, physical activity and good sleep are factors with significant positive effect on good health, whereas overweight is a negative factor. Proper sleep habits and higher physical activity levels should be promoted among high school students, and TV viewing time and video game use restricted. Additionally, schools should provide opportunities for young people to participate in a wider range of physical activities that address their individual needs while promoting the health benefits of engaging in regular exercise.

Self-Related Health, Physical Activity and Complaints in Swedish High School Students

The aim of this investigation was to study self-related health, physical activity and level of exertion, as well as body complaints in Swedish high school students. A total of 993 high school students aged 16–19 years participated in the study. A questionnaire was completed at school and included questions about self-related health, physical activity behavior, type of physical activity/sport, intensity, duration, possible injuries or complaints, and absence from physical training at school, during the last 3 months. The results showed that 26% of the high school students participated in sports on a regular basis. Males reported significantly better health than females (p < 0.0005). A significantly higher number of females participated in physical activities at a lower level of effort (p < 0.0005) and a higher number of males trained at a higher level of effort (p < 0.005). Sixtyone percent reported body pain during the last 3 months, representing a higher number of females than males (p = 0.03). A higher number of females than males reported complaints from the back (p = 0.002), the knees (p = 0.015), the neck (p = 0.001), and the hip (p = 0.015). Females with body complaints reported poorer health than those without complaints. There was a correlation between poor self-related health and a lower level of physical effort (0.219; p < 0.001). The results showed that the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms was high in this population and demonstrated a certain association with self-related health. Therefore, it is important to make it easy for adolescents to perform physical activity at school and during their leisure time in order to prevent chronic diseases.

Back to work – a two-year outcome of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme focused on physical function and pain

Purpose. To analyze why some responded positively to rehabilitation and why some did not. Method. Sixty participants with musculoskeletal disorders, mainly neck and back pain participated in a 7-week rehabilitation programme which was based on a combination of theoretical and practical education and physical activities. Before and after the programme and 6, 12 and 24 months after completion of the programme all participants were evaluated with the Disability Rating Index (DRI) and Pain Intensity Rating on a Visual analogue scale (VAS). Results. In the participants who had full-time sick leave from the start of the programme to the 2-year follow-up (Group I) self-experienced physical disability and pain ratings were high and showed no decrease and were maintained up until the 2-year follow-up. For the participants who had part-time sick leave or no sick leave (Group II) physical disability and pain ratings were initially lower than in Group I and decreased gradually, (p < 0.01) and (p < 0.05), respectively throughout the 2-year follow-up period. Conclusion. Participants in Group I did not benefit from the rehabilitation programme and did not show improvement in their physical disability and pain rating. Group II showed decreased physical disability and pain rating. The decrease was gradual and was maintained up until the 2-year follow-up period. These results may indicate that persons with musculoskeletal pain with severe disability and pain require other rehabilitation programmes than those with moderate symptoms. This research has highlighted the need for development of such programmes.

Physical activity and health among adolescents with cerebral palsy in Sweden.

UNLABELLED Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common disorder of movement and posture in children. The disorder results from a non-progressive brain lesion occurring in the fetal or infant brain. Children with CP have challenges with movement, posture, and mobility that last a life time. Few studies describe physical activity and health among adolescents with CP. AIM The aim of this study was to describe self-related health, physical activity, and body complaints among adolescents with CP in Sweden. METHODS A questionnaire was answered by 64 adolescents with CP, with 143 adolescents without disabilities serving as controls. RESULTS Adolescents with CP reported their general health to be better than adolescents without disabilities (p = .001). Adolescents with CP participated less than adolescents without disabilities in sport during recreation time (p = .009). About 19% of adolescents with CP were never or seldom physically active, compared with 8% in the control group (p = .025). A total of 50% of adolescents with CP reported musculoskeletal complaints during the last three months, compared with 69.5% in the control group. There was a correlation between musculoskeletal complaints and self-related health in adolescents with CP (p = .015) but not in the controls. CONCLUSION Adolescents with CP reported their general health to be good. Adolescents with CP were less physically active than adolescents without disabilities. There was a correlation between musculoskeletal complaints and self-related health among adolescents with CP. Further research is needed to determine the cause of the low physical activity among adolescents with CP and also to determine the relationship between musculoskeletal complaints and physical activity.