Background: Low back pain as a symptom affects many individuals around the globe regardless of their economic status or sociodemographic characteristics. During the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic, students found themselves obligated to sit down for long periods of time. The aim of this current study is to investigate the impact of these prolonged periods of sitting down in front of computers on developing a new episode of low back pain. Methods and Materials: This research adopted an observational cross-section study design. Students who are currently enrolled or had experienced distance learning classes in the last 6 months were eligible to participate. An online-based questionnaire was developed by the investigators through reviewing the literature with relevant objectives. McNemar’s test was used to compare certain variables between two periods before and during online distance learning. We used paired t-tests to compare pain intensity before, during, and after online learning, while a chi-square test was used to investigate correlations between factors influencing low back pain. Results: A total of 84 students participated in the study—46 (54.8%) females and 38 (45.2%) males. Before online distance learning, only 42.9% of participants reported low back pain, while only 20% had a back injury. The mean pain scores before, during, and after online distance learning were (2.85 ± 2.16, 4.79 ± 2.6, and 4.76 ± 2.7), respectively. The pain scores before online learning were significantly lower than pain scores during and after online distance learning (p < 0.05), respectively. Conclusion: The study findings suggested that low back pain prevalence increased among students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research should study participants’ behavior during the online learning and assess the long-run impact of distance learning among high-school and undergraduate students.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a significant occupational health concern worldwide, particularly among healthcare professionals such as laboratory technicians. MSDs lead to chronic pain, decreased productivity, and reduced quality of life. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MSDs and associated ergonomics risk factors among Saudi clinical laboratory technicians. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 167 clinical laboratory technicians in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire, distributed via Google Forms. The questionnaire collected demographics information, assessed the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and evaluated ergonomics risk factors using the Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (DMQ). Results: In total, 77.3% of the sample exhibited musculoskeletal issues in the last 12 months, with lower back (52.1%), neck (48.5%), and shoulders (40.7%) being the most frequent muscular complaints among laboratory technicians. Experience and nationality showed significant associations with MSDs (p ≤ 0.05). Lower back and neck complaints were commonly recorded with multiple laboratory tasks, including sustained sitting and standing and repetitive movement, whereas lower back and shoulder pain were notably prevalent with pipetting work. Conclusions: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders were highly apparent in laboratory practice. Periodic ergonomic training is mandated among laboratory personnel to limit occupational disability.

The present study delves into the realm of collegiate shot-put athletes' throwing techniques, aiming to undertake a comprehensive comparative video analysis of various throwing styles. The primary objective is to visually explore these athletes' diverse throwing techniques and shed light on the critical performance factors associated with each style. By employing video analysis tools and techniques, this research intends to provide a detailed examination of the biomechanical nuances and body movements in different throwing methods. Through an extensive collection of video footage featuring collegiate shot-put athletes, the study will meticulously dissect and compare the variations in throwing techniques. The aim is to analyse the different types of throwing techniques used and the technique that produces the best result by collegiate shot-put athletes in and around Bangalore. 220 shot-put athletes of age group between 18-25 years, representing colleges from different Universities were approached to analyse their shot-put throwing technique with two high-definition cameras and analysed using Kinovea software. The mean rank for velocity was higher in the glide technique for both male and female athletes compared to the rotational technique. Male athletes with higher BMI used rotational technique in comparison to athletes with lower BMI, in female athletes with higher BMI used glide technique in comparison to athletes with lower BMI (p-0.0001.) Based on the results obtained from our study, the glide technique was the most prevalent technique used by collegiate athletes. The gliding technique showed better throwing distance than the rotational technique. The findings of this study hold the potential to offer valuable insights to coaches, athletes, and researchers in the field of shot-put training and sports biomechanics. The comparative video analysis approach provides a unique visual perspective that supplements the existing body of knowledge concerning shot put techniques.

Background: Most Hemiplegic patients achieve ambulatory function during the sub-acute stage of stroke. Though ambulatory, they still perform an unpleasant awkward gait with remarkable compensations requiring more energy expenditure. Fatigue arises at an early duration as a result of increased energy expenditure. The walking pattern becomes circumduction, featured by asymmetry with an extensor synergy of the lower limb. Each step is rotated away from the body then towards the body, forming a semicircle. This leads to changes in various parameters of gait (spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic) in hemiparetic patients. Purpose: Many studies reveal the effectiveness of various therapeutic techniques in managing hemiplegic circumduction gait. Pelvic clock exercises aid in improving pelvic rotation components and cause dissociation in impaired pelvic mobility due to spasticity. A static bicycle helps in enhancing proper control between the hamstrings and quadriceps. It also helps in improving knee flexion range. As the patient places the foot in the cycle’s petals, it helps to enhance dorsiflexion and eversion functions as well. As the lower body is exercised, there could be relative changes in the upper body, i.e., the trunk. Thus, this study aimed to determine the changes in gait functions and trunk performance of chronic ambulatory hemiplegic patients in response to the above therapies for four weeks. Method: Twenty-five subjects (post-stroke duration (2.8 ± 0.6) years) who could walk 10 m independently without assistance or support of aid participated in a pelvic clock and static bicycle exercise intervention. The session duration was 30 min a day, and therapy was delivered six days a week and continued for four weeks. The entire program was carried out in an outpatient neurorehabilitation center. Results: After the intervention with pelvic clock and static bicycle exercises, there was a remarkable change in gait and trunk functions in chronic hemiplegic patients. Conclusion: The exercises comprising pelvic clock and static bicycle showed positive differences in gait and trunk functions in chronic stage hemiplegic patients. Later, randomized controlled studies involving larger sample sizes, advanced activation techniques, and increased intervention duration will explore in-depth information on their effectiveness and clinical significance.

Background: The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective knee form is a widely used measure to assess symptoms, functional impairments, and sport activity limitations related to knee conditions. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the IKDC (IKDC-AR) in patients experiencing knee pain. Methods: The IKDC-AR was compared to the short form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire, and the visual analog scale (VAS) using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient to evaluate construct validity. Internal consistency was examined using Cronbach’s alpha, while test-retest reliability was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1). Measurement precision was quantified through the standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC). Results: Strong correlations were observed between the IKDC-AR and SF-36 subscales reflecting similar constructs, including physical component summary and physical function (r = 0.71 and r =0.74, respectively). A moderate negative correlation with the VAS (r = -0.65) further supported construct validity. Divergent validity was confirmed by weak correlations with SF-36 subscales for the mental component summary and mental health (r =0.17 and r =0.18, respectively). The IKDC-AR demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.92) and high test-retest reliability (ICC2,1 = 0.95). Measurement precisions was highlighted with a SEM of 3.95 and MDC of 10.95. Conclusion: The IKDC-AR is a reliable and valid tool for evaluating knee function and symptoms in Arabic-speaking patients with knee pain. Its strong psychometric properties make it suitable for both clinical and research applications.