Hussain Ghulam

Objectives: To study the prevalence of injuries among padel players in Madinah and investigate potential causes. This study makes an attempt to add to the gaps in the literature regarding injury risks and preventive strategies in this fast-growing sport. Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study on 305 padel players who come from Madinah, consisting of 193 men and 112 women aged 18–40 years. Data were collected using an online Google Forms questionnaire, including descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests, among which the chi-square test was performed, aiming for the assessment of demographic and injury-related variables. Results: There were significantly different incidences of injuries with regard to gender at the p = 0.001 level. A 44.6% prevalence was recorded among women, while men had a prevalence of 8.2%. With respect to the severity of injuries from moderate to severe, there are higher percentages in women that comprised 40.4% and 5.6%, respectively. The most frequent types of upper body injuries among women were ligament sprains and muscle strains. Stress and poor warm-up practices were some of the lifestyle factors identified to increase the risk of sustaining an injury. Conclusions: This study highlights gender-specific injury patterns among padel players in Madinah, emphasizing the need for targeted injury prevention programs, including structured warm-ups and strength training. The findings contribute valuable insights for enhancing player safety and aligning with public health objectives under Saudi Vision 2030.

Background: Musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs) are a major complaint among Saudi healthcare practitioners. Increased awareness of risk factors may decrease in the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. In Taif, Saudi Arabia hospitals, little information is available about the prevalence of musculoskeletal issues and the specific risk factors. Aim: The purpose of this study was to estimate the incidence and factors associated with the development of musculoskeletal disorders among healthcare practitioners in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. Methods: In Taif, Saudi Arabia, a cross-sectional study via a web-based survey was carried out. The survey using Nordic questionnaires for musculoskeletal disorders analysis had been sent to healthcare practitioners at Taif hospitals, including physicians, nurses, lab workers, and other allied medical practitioners, through an email. Categorical and numerical variables were presented by descriptive statistics. Logistic regression analysis to determine the relationship between independent factors and musculoskeletal disorders. Results: 124 participants completed the survey. 54 (43.5%) males and 70 (56.5%) females. 95% and 92% of subjects participating in musculoskeletal symptoms in the last 7 days and 12 months preceding the scan, respectively. lower back pain was the most often reported musculoskeletal symptom by healthcare practitioners (75.8%). Also, in the last 7 days before the survey (67.7%). Neck pain was the second most common musculoskeletal. Females are much more susceptible to lower back pain. Standing for an extended period of time was linked to lower back pain. Neck pain has been linked to excessive bending and twisting, standing for long period during regular practice, and serving large number of patients >15 patients/day. 19.4% of participants were forced to take sick leave for reasons related to MSCs. 66% of the participants recorded that they had pain after starting work, 35% received a medical attention, while 54% of them took medication to relieve pain. Conclusion: MSCs are more common in healthcare practitioners at Taif city, Saudi Arabia, with the low back and neck being the most typically afflicted. MSCs are more common in physiotherapists then nurses. Females more affected than males, age between 31 to 40 years. The most commonly reported work risk factors for the development of MSCs were standing for long periods of time, working in awkward or uncomfortable place of work, and serving an excessive number of patients in a day. Physical exercise can reduce the risk of MSCs in healthcare practitioners.

Background: Chronic back pains are progressively disabling working individuals, including 60–80% of the general population, for which their diagnosis is challenging to healthcare workers worldwide, thereby becoming a burden to nations. Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the efficacy of core strengthening exercise (CSE) and intensive dynamic back exercise (IDBE) on pain, core muscle endurance, and functional disability in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (LBP). Methods: The study was based on a three-arm parallel-group randomized control design. Forty-five participants with chronic non-specific LBP were recruited and randomly divided into the CSE, IDBE, and Control groups. The CSE and IDBE groups received CSE and IDBE, respectively. However, the Control group received no intervention. Numeric pain rating scale, Oswestry Disability Index, core flexors, extensors, and side bridge tests assessed pain intensity, functional disability, and endurance of core muscles. Outcome scores for the dependent variables were collected at baseline (pre-intervention) and six-week post-intervention. There were no follow-up measurements in this study. A one-way multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to analyze the intervention effects on the outcomes within groups and between groups, respectively; keeping the significance-level alpha at 95%, i.e., p < 0.05. A univariate F-test was performed to observe the superiority of one treatment over another. Pearson’s correlation coefficient test was conducted to determine a relation between the dependent variables. In all statistical analyses, the level of significance α was kept at 0.05. Results: All forty-five out of sixty-three participants with chronic non-specific low back pain (male, 32 and female, 23; average age, 20.24 ± 1.46 years; average pain duration, 19.6 ± 5.42 weeks) completed the study and their data were analyzed. The MANCOVA test showed a significant difference between the treatment groups on the combined multiple endurance tests for the core muscles (flexors, extensors, side bridge tests to the right and left), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores after controlling for baseline scores of all the dependent variables: F (6, 12) = 23.381; p < 0.05; Wilks’ Λ = 0.033; partial η² = 0.819. A post hoc pair-wise comparison followed by a univariate F-test indicated that a significant improvement was found between the CSE vs. IDBE vs. Control groups on the post-test scores of all the dependent variables except VAS and EET (CSE vs. IDBE only). A Pearson’s correlation coefficient test revealed a notable relation between the dependent variables. Conclusions: The experimental group CSE was found to be more effective than IDBE on improving functional disability, cores’ flexors, and side bridges’ endurance tests than IDBE. The magnitude of this improvement exceeded the minimal clinically important difference (MCID), suggesting a clinically relevant enhancement in functional disability, core flexors, and side bridge endurance for participants engaged in CSE. However, CSE vs. IDBE revealed non-significant differences on reducing pain and core extensors’ endurance. The absence of statistically significant differences suggests that the observed changes did not exceed the established MCID for pain intensity and core extensors’ endurance. In addition, partial eta-squared value revealed the superiority of CSE over IDBE and Control groups. This suggests that the observed differences between the two interventions are not only statistically significant, but also clinically relevant, surpassing the established MCID.

Background: Sedentary lifestyle, age-related degenerative changes or traumatic injuries leads to cervical spine structural mal-alignment, which results in neck pain and other symptoms. Various therapeutic exercises and manual techniques have been proven to be beneficial in terms of managing these symptoms. This study aimed to determine the combined effects of cervical mobilization and post-isometric relaxation (PIR) technique on managing neck pain, cervical side flexion range of motion, and functional limitation in participants with mechanical neck pain linked with myofascial trigger points. Methods: This study followed a 2-arm, parallel-group, pretest-posttest randomized comparative design. Thirty participants with mechanical neck pain associated with myofascial trigger points aged 30.87 ± 4.45 years were randomly allocated to Groups 1 and 2. Group 1 received conventional intervention, PIR, and cervical mobilization techniques while Group 2 received conventional intervention and PIR technique only. Neck pain, muscle tenderness, cervical range of motion, and functional limitations were assessed using a visual analog scale, pressure pain threshold (PPT), goniometer, and neck disability index (NDI) questionnaire, respectively at baseline on day 1 and post-intervention on day 7, 14, and 21. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Mann–Whitney U test evaluated within-group and between-group analyses, respectively. Statistical significance was established at a 95% confidence interval, indicated by P < .05. Results: Significant differences (95% confidence interval [CI], P < .05) were observed within each group for all the outcomes scores when compared to the baselines across multiple time points. Significant variations were observed between the groups when comparing visual analog scale and NDI scores at weeks 1, 2, and 3 post-interventions. In contrast, insignificant differences (95% CI, P > .05) were observed for side flexion range of motion and PPT compared at weeks 1, 2, and 3 post-interventions except for PPT at week 3 post-intervention (95% CI, P < .05). Additionally, Cohen d test revealed the superiority of group 1 over group 2 in reducing pain and functional limitations and improving cervical side flexion range of motion and PPT. Conclusion: The combination of cervical mobilization and Post-isometric relaxation techniques was discovered to effectively alleviate neck pain and enhance functional abilities when contrasted with the application of post-isometric relaxation alone in patients with mechanical neck pain linked with myofascial trigger points.

Sub-acromial Impingement Syndrome (SIS) is a prevalent shoulder pathology characterized by pain, muscle weakness, and altered joint position sense (JPS). This prospective study aimed to comprehensively assess the relationship between shoulder muscle strength, JPS, and pain in individuals with SIS. A total of 100 participants, including 50 with SIS and 50 healthy controls, underwent shoulder muscle strength testing and JPS evaluation in various directions (flexion, abduction, medial rotation, and lateral rotation). Pain intensity was quantified using a visual analog scale. Correlation analyses were conducted to explore the associations between muscle strength, JPS, and pain, with Cohen’s d values indicating the effect size. Individuals with SIS exhibited significantly lower shoulder muscle strength and greater JPS errors compared to the healthy controls (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 0.51 to 0.84). The results showed strong positive correlations between muscle strength and JPS in all assessed directions (p < 0.001, with r values ranging from 0.35 to 0.62). Mediation analysis revealed that pain partially mediated the relationship between muscle strength and JPS in all directions (p < 0.005). This study highlights the multifaceted nature of SIS, emphasizing the coexistence of muscle weakness, proprioceptive impairments, and pain. The findings underscore the importance of addressing these factors in the comprehensive rehabilitation of individuals with SIS to optimize functional outcomes and enhance their quality of life.

Lumbar spondylosis, characterized by degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, often leads to pain, reduced spinal stability, and musculoskeletal dysfunction. Understanding the impact of lumbar spondylosis on musculoskeletal function, particularly lumbar extensor endurance, functional balance, and limits of stability, is crucial for improving the management and well-being of affected individuals. This study aimed to assess lumbar extensor endurance, functional balance, and limits of stability in individuals with lumbar spondylosis compared to age-matched healthy individuals and explore the correlations among these parameters within the lumbar spondylosis group. The lumbar spondylosis group consisted of 60 individuals initially screened by an orthopedician and referred to physical therapy. Age-matched healthy controls (n = 60) were recruited. Inclusion criteria encompassed adults aged 45–70 years for both groups. Lumbar extensor endurance was assessed using the Sorensen test, functional balance with the Berg Balance Scale, and limits of stability using a computerized stabilometric force platform. Lumbar extensor endurance was significantly lower in individuals with lumbar spondylosis compared to healthy controls (23.06 s vs. 52.45 s, p < 0.001). Functional balance, as assessed by the Berg Balance Scale, demonstrated a significant decrement in the lumbar spondylosis group (48.36 vs. 53.34, p < 0.001). Additionally, limits of stability variables, under both eyes-open and eyes-closed conditions, exhibited marked impairments in the lumbar spondylosis group (p < 0.001 for all variables). Within the lumbar spondylosis group, lumbar extensor endurance exhibited significant positive correlations with functional balance (0.46, p < 0.001) and negative correlations with limits of stability variables (r ranging from −0.38 to −0.49, p < 0.01 for all variables). This study underscores the significance of addressing lumbar extensor endurance, functional balance, and stability impairments in the comprehensive management of lumbar spondylosis.

Background. Volleyball is a popular non-contact sport around the globe. Unfortunately, volleyball players often suffer from an ankle sprain and knee and shoulder injuries. Proper techniques, education, and preventive exercises such as adequate warm-ups can reduce the risk of injury. Objectives. This study aimed to investigate and compare the implementation of ...

Purpose. Soccer is one of the most popular sports worldwide. Soccer goalkeepers are more likely than outfield players to injure their upper extremities, particularly their shoulders. The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) 11+ Shoulder Injury Prevention Program (FIFA 11+S) was developed to prevent upper extremity injuries. The aim of this study was to assess soccer goalkeepers’ and goalkeepers’ coaches’ awareness, implementation, and opinion of FIFA 11+S effectiveness in reducing upper extremity injuries. Materials and methods. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and distributed to worldwide professional soccer goalkeepers and goalkeepers’ coaches. The survey was available in 10 different languages. The questionnaire consisted of questions covering the awareness, implementation, and goalkeepers’ and goalkeepers’ coaches’ opinion of the FIFA 11+ Shoulder Injury Prevention Program in reducing upper extremity injuries. Questions development was guided by several authors expert in sport medicine and injury prevention programs. Results. A total of 722 goalkeepers and goalkeepers’ coaches completed the survey. The vast majority (97.60%) of the participants were goalkeepers. Only 204 (28.25%) participants were aware of FIFA 11+S, and 155 (21.46 %) were implementing FIFA 11+S in their current practice. Participants who implemented FIFA 11+S reported a positive opinion about the program efficacy, with a score of 8.19 ± 0.93 out of 10. Conclusions. This study is the first to investigate goalkeepers’ and coaches’ awareness, implementation, and opinion of the effectiveness of the FIFA 11+S program in reducing shoulder injuries globally. Overall, the awareness rate was exceptionally low, but the implementation level among aware participants was good. Goalkeepers and coaches attained a positive score regarding the FIFA 11+S effectiveness in reducing shoulder injuries. Further efforts and research are needed to increase the awareness and usage of the FIFA 11+S program.

Purpose. Physiotherapists are trained to prevent, assess, and rehabilitate all kinds of injuries including sports injury. The goal of the physical therapist should be making sure that the athlete is in optimal shape to perform, with a minimal risk for developing an injury. This study aims to assess the physiotherapists’ awareness, implementation, and views of sports injury prevention programs (IPPs) from an international perspective. Materials and methods. A self-administered questionnaire was developed and distributed to physiotherapists worldwide through World Physiotherapy member organizations. The study targeted physiotherapists at an international level. The study included 484 participants, of whom 44.4% were male and 55.6% were female physiotherapists. Results. A total of 287 (59.3%) of the participants were aware of the current sports IPPs, 177 (36.6%) were implementing sports IPPs in their current practice. Participants who implemented the sports IPPs reported a positive opinion about the program efficacy, with a score of 7.3 ± 2.11 out of 10. Conclusions. Globally, physiotherapists have average awareness and low implementation levels of IPPs. Physiotherapists showed a positive score regarding the effectiveness of IPPS, especially the KIPP and the iSPRINT.

Background The Fédération International de Football Association (FIFA) has promoted and deployed the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program worldwide. Developed and studied by the FIFA Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC), the program relied on international randomized controlled trial which significantly reduced injuries and healthcare costs. Objective To assess the awareness level, implementation rate, and opinion of the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program among worldwide professional and semi-professional soccer players and coaches. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting An online survey for all continental football federations. Patients (or Participants) A total of 1690 professional and semi-professional soccer players and coaches completed the survey. Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors) The questionnaire consisted of questions relating to the awareness level, implementation rate, and opinion of the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program. Questions development was guided by several authors whose expertise is in sport medicine and injury prevention. Main Outcome Measurements The primary outcomes were awareness level, implementation rate, and opinion of the effectiveness of the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program in reducing injuries. Results A total of 824 (48.8%) professional and semi-professional soccer players and coaches reported awareness of the FIFA 11 + injury prevention program and 680 (40.2%) reported implementing the FIFA 11 + injury prevention program in their current practice at some level. Participants who implemented the FIFA 11+ injury prevention program reported a positive attitude towards program efficacy, with a score of 8.16±1.10 out of 10. Conclusions The results suggest a relationship between the variables explored. Therefore, increasing awareness of the FIFA +11 injury prevention program may increase implementation rates around the world, which may lead to an increase in the reduction of soccer injury incidence.