Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most common occupational health hazards and serious health concerns among teachers. About 39% to 95% of teachers suffer from musculoskeletal pain that can lead to a decline in their performance, frequent sick leaves and early retirement, and can have a negative impact on their quality of life. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for MSDs among secondary schoolteachers in Hail, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted through an electronic survey. A self-reported and validated Arabic version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used. Participants were recruited randomly through a two-stage sampling technique. A total of 251 respondents (57.8% males and 42.2% females) returned the questionnaire. The overall prevalence of MSDs was 87.3%. Female teachers (95.3%) suffered more than their male counterparts (81.4%). The most common site was the lower back (62.55%), followed by the shoulders (53.39%) and knees (41.04%). Most of the participants (72.7%) reported MSDs in multiple sites. Binomial logistic regression predicted that smoking is a significant risk factor for lower back disorders (p < 0.05). A high prevalence of MSDs can be due to a substantial lack of awareness and practice of ergonomics, which warrant the development of preventive strategies and educational programs.

This study aimed to systematically review research investigating the association between hip muscle strength and dynamic knee valgus (DKV). Four databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus) were searched for journal articles published from inception to October 2020. Seven studies investigating the association between hip muscle strength and DKV using a two-dimensional motion analysis system in healthy adults were included. The relationship between hip abductor muscle strength and DKV was negatively correlated in two studies, positively correlated in two studies, and not correlated in three studies. The DKV was associated with reduced hip extensor muscle strength in two studies and reduced hip external rotator muscle strength in two studies, while no correlation was found in three and five studies for each muscle group, respectively. The relationship between hip muscle strength, including abductors, extensors, and external rotators and DKV is conflicting. Considering the current literature limitations and variable methodological approaches used among studies, the clinical relevance of such findings should be interpreted cautiously. Therefore, future studies are recommended to measure the eccentric strength of hip muscles, resembling muscular movement during landing. Furthermore, high-demand and sufficiently challenging functional tasks revealing lower limb kinematic differences, such as cutting and jumping tasks, are recommended for measuring the DKV.

Background/Objectives: COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has had a significant impact on life worldwide since its emergence in late 2019. The virus has caused a global pandemic, leading to widespread health, social, economic, and psychological effects. COVID-19 mainly affects the respiratory system. This study aimed to compare the functional capacity and pulmonary function outcomes between COVID-19 patients and individuals who have not been infected in the Hail region. Methods: Individuals of both genders above 18 years old who had been infected with COVID-19 in the previous 6 months or had never been infected were eligible to participate. Local hospitals and social media apps were used to recruit willing participants. Heart rate, pulse oxygen saturation, blood pressure, pulmonary function test, hand grip strength, and functional tests (6 min walk test, 30 s sit-to-stand test, and timed up and go test) were measured and compared between the groups. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Version 25. Results: Forty individuals affected with COVID-19 and forty-one healthy individuals were recruited. Our results showed that in individuals affected with COVID-19, scores on the minute ventilation, 30 s sit-to-stand, and 6 min walk tests were significantly lower than among healthy individuals. Other outcomes did not show any statistical differences between the groups. Conclusion: This study contributes to a greater understanding of the functional capacity status of individuals with COVID-19. Patients affected by COVID-19 may develop an impaired lung capacity and a decreased function capacity. These factors may negatively affect physical and cognitive health status. Future studies should evaluate the benefits of interventions with rehabilitation exercises following COVID-19. In light of the functional capacity and pulmonary function decline in individuals affected by COVID-19, interventions encompassing pulmonary and functional rehabilitation exercises are recommended to improve physical fitness and pulmonary function post-COVID-19.

Background/Objectives: Physiotherapy practice involves patient handling, sustained or awkward postures, and repetitive manual techniques. This study estimated Neck Disability Index (NDI)-defined neck disability among physiotherapists in Saudi Arabia, examined its demographic and workplace associations, and compared quality of life across NDI levels. Methods: An online cross-sectional convenience survey (April–May 2024) included physiotherapists with ≥1 year of clinical experience. Disability and quality of life were assessed using the NDI and WHOQOL-BREF. Analyses used five-variable multinomial regression with robust standard errors, an expanded 11-factor mean bias-reduced sensitivity model, and Holm-adjusted comparisons. Results: Of 367 participants, 197 (53.7%; 95% CI, 48.6–58.7%) had NDI-defined disability: 156 (42.5%) mild and 41 (11.2%) moderate-or-worse. In the main model, mild disability was associated with female versus male sex (adjusted relative risk ratio [RRR], 2.49; 95% CI, 1.54–4.03) and body mass index (BMI) ≥25 versus <25 kg/m² (RRR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.26–3.29); moderate-or-worse disability was associated with pooled non-private versus private rehabilitation settings (RRR, 4.47; 95% CI, 2.06–9.73) and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² (RRR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.05–4.84). The expanded model showed similar sex and workplace associations; only these factors were significant in Holm-adjusted joint tests, and the moderate-or-worse BMI estimate was less precise (RRR, 2.13; 95% CI, 0.96–4.69). All four WHOQOL-BREF domains showed lower medians at higher NDI levels (all omnibus Holm-adjusted p < 0.001), with the largest difference in physical health (ε² = 0.199). Conclusions: Neck-related disability was common and co-occurred with poorer physical, psychological, social, and environmental quality of life. Sex and workplace showed the most consistent adjusted associations. These sample-specific findings warrant representative longitudinal research with direct measurement of occupational exposures and do not establish causality.