Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2014. / Background: Classical ballet is an art form that seems graceful on the surface. However, beneath the disguise of beauty and ease lies an extremely physically demanding activity that calls for dedication, strength and perseverance. Ballet requires a specific body type and precise techniques, which predispose the dancer to musculoskeletal injury. Although a few studies have been conducted to investigate biomechanical factors as risk factors for injury in ballet dancers, few have included amateur ballet dancers and a range of biomechanical factors. Objectives: This study aimed to determine characteristics of ballet-related injury in amateur ballet dancers in the greater Durban area; to measure and record lower limb biomechanical measurements of these dancers; and to identify associations between the biomechanical measurements and characteristics of injury in the population. Method: A quantitative, questionnaire-based survey with biomechanical measurements was conducted on 21 amateur ballet dancers in the greater Durban area. Statistical analysis included the description of categorical variables using frequency and percentages in tables and bar charts. Continuous variables were summarised using mean, standard deviation and range, or median and range as appropriate. Independent Sample T-tests were used to compare biomechanical measurements between two independent groups. A p value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Pearson’s correlations and ANOVA testing were also used. Results: The period prevalence of ballet-related injury over the last 2 years was found to be 62% and the point prevalence 38%. There were 37 total previous injuries, most of which occurred in the hamstring (24%). Most of the worst previous injuries were reported to have occurred in the low back (31%). Most of the worst previous (70%) and current (93%) injuries occurred over time. The worst previous injuries reported ranged from mild to severe in severity, while the worst current injuries reported ranged from mild to moderate. Significant associations were found between right weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion and previous injury; right weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion and current injury; ‘functional turnout’ and onset of injury; right non weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion and onset of injury; and ‘compensated turnout’ and onset of injury. Conclusion: The results suggest a significant association between musculoskeletal ballet-related injury and reduced weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion; between injuries that occur over time (overuse injuries) and decreased ‘functional turnout’; and between overuse injuries and decreased non weight-bearing ankle dorsiflexion. These findings may help identify risk factors for injury in ballet dancers and contribute towards preventing ballet-related injury. / M

Submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2016. / Background Dog agility has become one of the most popular canine sport disciplines, growing annually with many owners enrolling their canines without an educated understanding of what the sport of agility entails. Various factors have been identified that can contribute to the injury of the agility dog, these include coming into contact with the agility equipment, the experience of the dog, nutrition, supplementation, handler training in warm up technique and participation in additional sporting activities such as flyball, and risk factors such as breed, sex and age of the dog have been shown to have an impact on the prevalence and type of injury that sporting dogs are at risk for, most commonly, injuries to the shoulder, wrists, hip and an extensive range of soft tissue injuries. There is a significant knowledge gap in the literature that describes injury prevalence, profiles and the potential risks facing the sporting canine participants in a South African context and that, as more and more owners are seeking out CAM therapies such as chiropractic, literature is needed in order to enable these owners and veterinary chiropractors to better understand the risk that the sport of agility entails. Chiropractic treatment can offer both treatment and prevention, from enhancing the performance of the canine athlete, allowing them to compete more effectively and for a longer period at national and international level, to improving the quality of life of the geriatric canine patient. Aim The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and selected risk factors of musculoskeletal conditions affecting working canines registered in the herding breed category in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Study Design This study was a cross sectional, prospective survey of sporting canine owners registered with the KZNDAA. The study employed a quantitative descriptive design. Participants The study comprised of 70 dogs registered to 38 owners who are affiliated with the KZNDAA. Methodology Potential participants were identified on the KZNDAA membership list. These members were approached by the researcher at registered agility shows and invited to participate in the study. Once it has been established that the owners and the canines met the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the study, participants were required to sign a letter of information and confidentiality and a consent form and were included as participants in the study. The research questionnaire was then given to participants, who then completed the questionnaire on site and returned it by hand to the researcher. Data was captured on excel and transferred to IBM SPSS version 23. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and range were used to describe continuous variables which were normally distributed, while median and inter-quartile range were used for skew variables. Categorical variables were summarized using frequency tables. Associations between lifetime prevalence and risk factors were tested using Pearson’s chi square tests for categorical risk factors, or Fischer’s Exact tests for continuous variables. Results The period prevalence of MS conditions was found to be 8.5% and the lifetime prevalence 45.8%. Injuries were found to occur most often during play, followed by injury during agility competition, a very small percentage of the injuries incurred were due to direct contact with agility equipment. Shoulders and hips were the areas most commonly affected, with arthritis and DJD being the most prevalent type of conditions and muscular strains being the most prevalent type of injury. The breed with the highest prevalence of injury was the Border Collie(63%). Neutered males had the highest prevalence of injury (52%), followed by spayed females (30%). The 8-10 year old category had the highest prevalence of injury (30%), followed by the 2-4 year old category (22%). Large breed dogs in the 15-20kg weight category had the highest prevalence of MS injury (40%). Dogs participating in dog jumping showed a decreased risk of MS injury, while dogs participating in flyball showed an increased risk of developing MS injuries. Handlers with training in specific warm up techniques showed a decreased risk of having dogs developing MS injury. Reverse casualty associations were found between the increased risk of MS injury and dogs fed on Hills specific diets, dogs supplemented with glucosamine and chondroitin, and dogs currently receiving anti-inflammatories. Conclusion The prevalence of musculoskeletal (MS) injuries in agility dogs in KZN is low when compared to studies done outside of South Africa. Factors such as breed, age, sex, and weight of the dog influence the prevalence of MS conditions. Risk factors influencing the development of MS conditions include contact with the equipment, nutrition, participation in other sporting activities and whether warm up periods are allowed. A larger population is needed in order to further analyse the risk of injury in sporting dogs in a South African context. / M

Title: Qualitative diagnostics in fitness center. The aim of the diploma thesis: The aim of the theoretical part of the diploma thesis is to summarize the knowledge about the diagnostic entrance test for motion assumptions in fitness and afterwards to help as a study material for people who are interested in being educated in this department. The aim of the practical part of the diploma thesis is to perform the model situation of the diagnostic entrance test in the fitness center carried out in the presence of 10 certificated personal trainers with many years of experience and then with help of semi-structured dialogs and the overall analysis of the concept of the diagnostic, together with an analysis of their experience with diagnostic entrance test in fitness as a whole. Subsequently these data are compared with the theoretical part of this thesis. Objectives: There was used the method of analyzing specialist literature and qualitative research. The qualitative research was done in the fitness center. Results: The outcome of the project supported the theory that the diagnostic entrance test is still not common part of the work of fitness trainer and commonly implemented diagnostics in fitness does not match the theoretical principles of diagnostics, but it is sufficient for the purposes of...

A Biomecânica Ocupacional procura aprimorar as condições de trabalho objetivando prevenir e reduzir as lesões, aumentar o desempenho dos operários reduzindo sobrecargas. Pesquisas nesta área indicam que não apenas a manipulação de materiais pesados, mas também posturas pouco naturais e movimentos súbitos e inesperados provocam lesões no sistema osteomuscular que afetam principalmente o pescoço, membros superiores e região lombar. Alguns profissionais apresentam alto risco ao aparecimento desses distúrbios envolvendo principalmente os membros superiores e região lombar, particularmente os digitadores, operadores de caixa de supermercados, dentistas, motoristas profissionais e operadores de trens metropolitanos. Este estudo teve como objetivo estimar a carga mecânica e a atividade muscular no membro superior esquerdo de maquinistas condutores de trens metropolitanos durante o trabalho. Especificamente, o estudo procurou estimar a carga mecânica sobre a articulação do ombro, avaliar a atividade muscular dos músculos tríceps e flexores do punho e verificar a ocorrência de fadiga muscular durante a realização da tarefa, para isto foram investigados o fator de risco relacionado a enfermidades dos membros superiores, o torque sobre a articulação do ombro e a freqüência mediana do sinal eletromiográfico. O método RULA indicou para atividade estudada um escore final quatro, que sugere mais investigações e mudanças podem ser requeridas, pois a postura adotada gera desconforto. O torque calculado sobre a articulação do ombro é aplicado por cerca da metade da jornada de trabalho e apresentou valor médio de -4,1 Nm com o manete na posição 0. A instauração de fadiga sobre os músculos Tríceps Braquial e flexores do punho não foi observada. Estudos futuros são recomendados para desenvolvimento de cabinas de trens metropolitanos com layout ergonômico e posicionamento de instrumentos que possibilite uma postura mais adequada dos operadores / Occupational biomechanics seeks to improve the conditions of work aiming to prevent and to reduce the injuries, to increase the performance of workers reducing overloads. Previous researches in this area indicate that not only handling the of heavy material, inadequate postures and unexpected and sudden movements provoke injuries in the musculoskeletal system that affect mainly the neck, upper limbs and the lumbar region. Some workers present high risk to the develop those disturbances involving mainly the upper limbs and the lumbar region, particularly the keyboarders, supermarket cashiers, dentists, professional drivers and operators metropolitan train. This study aimed to estimate the mechanical load and the muscular activity in the left upper limb of metropolitan train drivers during the work. Specifically, the study sought to estimate the mechanical load on the joint of the shoulder, evaluate the muscular activity of the muscles triceps and flexors of the wrist and verify the occurrence of muscular fatigue during the achievement of the task. For this purpose, it were investigated the risk factor related to the diseases of the upper limbs, the torque on the joint of the shoulder and the median frequency of the electromyographic signal. The method RULA indicated for activity a score final four, which suggests more investigations and changes may be required because the usual posture adopted generates discomfort. The calculated torque on the joint of the shoulder is applied by about half of the day at work and showed the average value of -4.1 Nm with the handle in position 0. The instauration of fatigue on the muscles Tríceps brachial the wrist flexor was not observed. Thus, future studies are recommended to the development of the metropolitan trains\' berths with ergonomic layout and positioning of instruments that enables an adequate posture of its users

As décadas de 80 e 90 caracterizaram-se por ações intensas na área de saúde ocupacional. Porém os índices de acometimentos e queixas álgicas em MMSS continuam sendo um grande problema. Os trabalhadores que realizam atividades de preparação de alimentos apresentam uma grande sobrecarga em MMSS. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a sobrecarga musculoesquelética e o desconforto postural em trabalhadores de duas cozinhas industriais através do Método RULA e do mapa de desconforto postural. Foram filmadas e avaliadas 151 tarefas durante 10 dias em cada restaurante. Cada tarefa foi avaliada por dois observadores independentes visando a identificação do escore do método RULA e fatores que pudessem influenciar na sobrecarga musculoesquelética como mobiliário, instrumentos de trabalho, mecanização do processo de trabalho, postura (análise cinesiológica e biomecânica) e utilização de alimentos pré-processados. Os trabalhadores preencheram também o mapa de desconforto postural. Como resultado evidenciou-se que não houve diferença significativa nos escores do método RULA entre os restaurantes estudados. Porém ocorreram diferenças quando comparadas as tarefas que envolviam o preprocessamento existente em um dos restaurantes, onde foram identificados escores menores, que determinaram menor sobrecarga musculoesquelética a estes funcionários. Estes dados não provocaram diferenças significativas no resultado final de todas as tarefas, devido a influências de outros fatores fundamentais nesta análise: o mobiliário, o instrumento de trabalho e a orientação postural, não determinando diferença significativa no mapa de desconforto postural entre estas populações exceto em antebraço direito e perna direita / The decades of 80 and 90 had been characterized for intense actions in the area of occupational health. However the index of attacks and complaints in upper limbs continue being a huge problem. The workers who carry out activities of food preparation present a great overload in upper limbs. The aim of this study was to analyze the musculoskeletal overload and the postural discomfort in workers of two industrial kitchens through the RULA method and the postural discomfort map. The tasks were filmed and evaluated during 10 days in each restaurant. Each task was evaluated by two independent observers aiming to identify the results of the RULA method and factors that could influence the musculoskeletal overload, such as furniture, tools of work, mechanization of the work process, posture, and processed food use. The workers had also filled the postural discomfort map. It was seen that there was not any significant difference in the results of the RULA method between the two studied restaurants. However it was observed some differences when we compare the tasks that involved the processed food use in one of the restaurants, where it had been identified minor musculoskeletal overload to these employees. These data did not cause significant differences in the final result of all the tasks, due to the influence of other basic factors in this analysis: the furniture, the tools of work and the postural orientation. It was not determined significant difference in the postural discomfort map among these populations except right forearm and right leg

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that aerobic exercise and conditioned pain modulation may be advocated in treating patients with musculoskeletal pain. The effects of lower extremity aerobic exercise and conditioned pain modulation on evoked shoulder pain are not known. Purpose: To determine the acute effects of lower extremity aerobic exercise and conditioned pain modulation on outcomes of evoked shoulder pain from pain pressure threshold measurements. Study Design: Repeated measures. Methods: Thirty (30) healthy volunteers were tested over the course of two sessions. Session 1 consisted of collecting pain pressure threshold measurements over the infraspinatus before and immediately following a conditioned pain modulation with cool water. Session 2 consisted of collecting pain pressure threshold measurements over the infraspinatus before and immediately following a bout of lower extremity aerobic exercise on a recumbent stepper apparatus. Results: Pain pressure threshold was not significantly influenced by the conditioned pain modulation using cool water (p=0.725). Pain pressure threshold was significantly increased immediately following the lower extremity exercise session (P<0.001). Conclusion: Conditioned pain modulation with cool water did not produce any significant changes in pain pressure threshold. Lower extremity aerobic exercise acutely increased pain pressure threshold in participants with experimentally induced shoulder pain. Physical therapists may consider lower extremity aerobic exercise to produce short-term hypoalgesic effects and facilitate the application of more active interventions.

Reoccurrence of deformity can affect upwards of 64% of children with clubfoot. The ability to use foot function as a measure of reoccurrence has not been previously assessed. The purpose of this investigation was to utilize foot pressure analysis to predict the probability of reoccurrence in children with unilateral clubfoot. Retrospective foot pressure data revealed predictive algorithms detecting the probability of experiencing any type of reoccurrence (overall reoccurrence) and for experiencing a tibialis anterior tendon transfer (TATT). The equation for overall reoccurrence reported sensitivity and specificity of 0.82 and 0.81 and the equation for TATT reported values of 0.81 and 0.84. These algorithms were then applied prospectively to a cohort of children with unilateral clubfoot. Interim sensitivity and specificity results at a 1.5-year follow-up demonstrate that the equations for overall reoccurrence and TATT were highly specific but not sensitive (0.84, 0.73 specificity; 0.11, 0 sensitivity). This is an indication that these algorithms were more accurate when identifying the absence of reoccurrence. However, these results may change as the prospective subjects continue to age. Overall, the results of this investigation show that foot pressure analysis can predict the presence/absence of reoccurrence. The algorithms developed herein have the potential to improve long and short-term outcomes for children with clubfoot. Providing clinicians with the probability of reoccurrence will improve their ability to be proactive during the treatment decision making process.

Medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS) is a stress and overuse injury that presents as pain on the medial aspect of the lower two-thirds of the tibia. It is most often caused by repetitive actions on hard surfaces such as running, marching, and dancing. Individuals most affected by MTSS are runners, members of the military, dancers, and athletes that play soccer, volleyball and basketball. While MTSS has a relatively standard presentation of pain on the medial aspect of the tibia, it can occasionally be mistaken for other injuries such as stress fractures or compartment syndrome. If a diagnosis is unsure, methods such as x-ray, bone-scan, and MRI can be utilized to better obtain the correct diagnosis. A variety of treatments exist for MTSS including, ice, massage, muscle strengthening, and rest. A combination of these various techniques is most often what is employed. In this study, the effectiveness of a set of resistance ankle exercises in combination with ice and massage was tested and compared to that of ice and massage alone. The hypothesis was that athletes receiving the exercises as part of their treatment, in addition to the icing and massaging, would have a greater decrease in pain from MTSS than athletes just receiving ice and massage as treatment. The exercises would strengthen the muscles of the lower leg that, when weak, can contribute to the development of MTSS. Results indicated that the exercises yielded a more significant decrease in pain from MTSS than ice and massage alone.

Dissertation submitted in compliance with the requirements for the Masters Degree in Chiropractic at the Durban University of Technology, 2009 / Occupational injuries sustained by Emergency Rescue Care workers have been well documented. However, despite their high rates of injury, the literature regarding the risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal injuries (WRMSIs) in the fire service has not been well-established, especially in South Africa. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in the Durban Metropolitan Fire Department and to evaluate the relationship between selected risk factors and the prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries. Methods: This was a descriptive study from a large urban Fire Department employing 350 active firefighters. Using a cross sectional study design, a retrospective analysis investigated the musculoskeletal injury prevalence from 2006-2008 by means of a questionnaire. Individuals reported on demographics, injury location, injury etiology, injury nature, extent of treatment rendered and time lost from work. Additionally, data was obtained regarding smoking, occupational stress, fitness, protective gear and injury prevention advice given by the Durban Metropolitan Fire Department. A 41% response rate was achieved. Results: The point prevalence of WRMSIs was 33.6% and the period prevalence was 81.1% of the sample. Low back injuries (47.9%) and strain injuries (40.8%) were the most common, followed by knee (22.5%), shoulder (19.7%) and ankle injuries (19%). The most common causes included lifting heavy objects, working in awkward postures and running. Weight, ethnic group, stress, lack of nutritional advice and alcohol consumption were all significantly associated with the prevalence of injuries. Ex-smoking was significant in the prevalence of low back injuries, stress was significant in the prevalence of knee injuries and alcohol consumption was associated with the prevalence of shoulder injuries. Conclusion: WRMSIs are of great concern in the fire service as their prevalence is substantial. Evaluation and implementation of further preventative measures and advice based on the results of this study can be effective in reducing WRMSIs.

Schoolbag carriage represents a considerable daily occupational load for children (Negrini et al., 1999). Whittfield et al., (2001) and Puckree et al., (2004) have reported that the carriage of heavy schoolbags is a suspected aetiological factor of the daily physical stress of school pupils. Methods: One hundred and eighty-seven pupils voluntarily participated in a controlled, descriptive, epidemiological retrospective study. Subjects’ biographical, epidemiological, exercise history and lifestyle information was gathered by a self-report questionnaire (adapted from Puckree et al., 2004). Subjects’ body mass, stature and mass of their schoolbags were measured using a Detecto stadiometer scale. Digital images, electromyographical muscular activity and a posture profile assessments were captured in the frontal and sagittal planes whilst the pupils were in the loaded (carrying a schoolbag) and the unloaded phases (not carrying schoolbags). These images were analyzed using biomechanical software, Dartfish. The study being retrospective in nature recorded the prevalence of schoolbag carriage musculoskeletal pain over the last 12 months. Descriptive statistical tests such as mean, mode, frequency, percentages and inferential chi-square statistical test (set at a probability of 0.05) were employed to analyze the data. Results: The result indicated that 78.99% of the cohort experience musculoskeletal pain due to schoolbag carriage (p<0.0001). The most prevalent anatomical sites of pain were the shoulders (37.04%), neck (20.37%), lumbar (11.73%) and thorax (10.49%) (p<0.0001). The mean mass of the schoolbag carried by the cohort was 5.45kg which was approximately 11.5% of their body mass. The predisposing factors of the musculoskeletal pain were the methods employed to carry the schoolbag (single strap (20.21%) versus double straps (76.6%), altered posture due to excessive schoolbag mass together with a reduced craniovertebral angle (p<0.05). Discussion & Conclusion: The excessive schoolbag mass carried by the pupils placed strain on the immature vertebral column of these pupils thus causing postural deviations which induced musculoskeletal pain and discomfort. / Thesis (M.Sport Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2011.