Background and Objective: Pre-pandemic, various healthcare settings were not used to seeing patients virtually. The unprecedented need to adopt virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic may have caught physical therapists (PTs) unready for it. This study aimed to determine the telerehabilitation knowledge, attitude, and practice of PTs in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the association between demographic and study outcome variables. Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study among members of the Philippine Physical Therapy Association, Inc. (PPTA) practicing in the Philippines. Purposive sampling (total enumeration) was employed. All PPTA members were invited to the study through e-mail and official social media group chats. A self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on telerehabilitation knowledge (through test questions on various theoretical aspects), attitude, and practice. Results: The questionnaire items had a content validity index of >0.80. The study yielded a 40% response rate. Most respondents were practicing clinicians in urban-based, private rehabilitation centers. Approximately half had average telerehabilitation knowledge, while the majority had agreeable telerehabilitation attitudes across different constructs. Among the respondents, 15.9% used telerehabilitation pre-pandemic, while 64.8% used it during the pandemic. Hybrid (synchronous and asynchronous) telerehabilitation sessions usually lasted one hour per patient, mostly using Facebook Messenger. Conclusion Telerehabilitation was not widely practiced locally pre-pandemic, which may explain their average telerehabilitation knowledge. The positive telerehabilitation attitudes may represent a small group of PTs favoring telerehabilitation, while information from the larger population remains unknown. Early adopters of telerehabilitation may help introduce virtual care to colleagues and guide them in developing relevant knowledge and skills amid and beyond the enduring COVID-19 crisis.
COVID-19 ; Developing Countries ; Physical Therapy Modalities ; Telerehabilitation ; Telemedicine

BACKGROUND

Sleep is crucial for performance, overall health, and well-being. However, suboptimal sleep exists, particularly in the athletic population, due to factors that come with the responsibility of an athlete. The sleep health of athletes from combat sports like Amateur Boxing (AB), Wushu-Sanda (WS), and Pencak Silat (PS) have not received enough attention, even more so with the usage of Athlete Sleep Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ) to discover the presence of possible clinical sleeping problems. Such sports use the anaerobic energy system which produces their quick and explosive movements, but is afflicted by disturbed sleep.

The primary objective of the study is to describe the sleep health of AB, WS, and PS Philippine National Athletes using the ASSQ. This study is a continuation of predecessor research which instead focused on combat sports Judo and Taekwondo. The secondary objective is to correlate socio-demographic variables, which include: age, gender, current level of education, years of training in sport, years of training as a national athlete, weekly training hours, and current phase of the season to sleep health without identifying causation.

This cross-sectional descriptive correlational study will utilize the total enumeration sampling method from 41 Philippine National Athletes from three sports. The data gathering will utilize (1) the socio-demographic questionnaire and (2) ASSQ on mobile devices during face-to-face procedures. The study will employ descriptive statistics to outline the characteristics of the data, while Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient will be used to examine the relationship.

The study expects to identify the sleep health of combat sports athletes competing in AB, PS, and WS using the ASSQ. It also determines an association between sleep health and sociodemographic variables.

Background: Impairment and functional limitations from musculoskeletal conditions are evaluated using outcome measure tools. The Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) is one of the outcome measure tools (OMT) that assess the functional capacity of patients who have lower extremity conditions. It was originally developed in English and translated later into other languages; however, no Filipino version is available. Objective: This study aims to translate, cross-culturally adapt the LEFS into Filipino, and evaluate its psychometric properties. Methods: Using a psychometric study design, the LEFS will be translated and cross-culturally adapted into Filipino following the guidelines set by Beaton et al. and Sousa and Rojjanasrirat. These include six stages: (1) forward translation into Filipino, (2) synthesis, (3) backward translation, (4) expert committee review, (5) pilot testing/cognitive interview, and (6) psychometric testing. Filipinos with lower extremity conditions will be recruited for the pilot (n= 10) and psychometric testing (n= 200). Validity will be evaluated using face validity index, content validity index, independent t-test (knowngroup validity), and Spearman rho (concurrent validity). Reliability will be assessed using Cronbach alpha for the internal consistency and intraclass correlation coefficient for the stability. Floor and ceiling effects will also be computed. E Expected results The LEFS will be successfully translated and cross-culturally adapted into Filipino. It will be a valid and reliable outcome measure tool that physical therapists and other healthcare professionals can use for the functional assessment of patients. This study can also serve as a reference for future translation studies
Lower Extremity

BACKGROUND: Achilles Tendinopathy (AT) is common in elite and recreational athletes involved in sports such as running and jumping. The severity of this condition can be assessed using the VISA-A questionnaire. However, this is originally developed in English. This has been translated to several languages, but there is no translation and cross-cultural adaptation yet to Filipino. This study aims to translate, cross-culturally adapt the VISA-A questionnaire to Filipino, and examine its psychometric properties. METHOD: The translation and validation process were in accordance with the guidelines set by Beaton et al., and Sousa et al. The psychometric properties were assessed on n= 8 healthy and n= 8 symptomatic athletes. RESULTS: The VISA-A questionnaire exhibited excellent face validity (100% agreement), content validity (Item-Content Validity Index and Scale-Content Validity Index= 1.00), construct validity (U= 2.50, p= 0.001), and concurrent validity (r= 0.90, p= 0.001). The items have good internal consistency (α= 0.80) and showed excellent reliability (ICC= 0.94; 95% CI: 0.73–0.99). CONCLUSIONS The cross-cultural adaptation of the Filipino version of VISAA (VISA-A-Fil) was successful. Preliminary psychometric testing showed that the VISA-A-Fil questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool that measures the severity of AT. However, there is still a need to explore its full psychometric properties.

BACKGROUND: Gluteus medius (GMeds), peroneus longus (PL), and tibialis anterior (TA) help in maintaining frontal stability of the lower extremity, particularly, the ankle. Muscle activation must be sufficient to prevent the occurrence of an ankle sprain. The purpose of this study is to compare the muscle activation of the GMeds, TA, and PL during drop landing on stable and unstable surfaces of physically active individuals. METHODS: Surface EMG (sEMG) was used to determine the muscle activation pattern of the GMeds, TA, and PL of fifteen (15) recreational athletes during drop landing. The mean percentage of maximum voluntary isometric contraction (%MVIC) was calculated for comparison. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare means. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the muscle activity of GMeds (p=0.69), TA (p=0.26), and PL (p=0.23) on stable and unstable surfaces. However, a small effect size showed that GMeds (d=0.30) has higher activation in the unstable surface while TA (d=0.28) and PL (d=0.17) have lower activation on unstable surface. CONCLUSION Landing surface does not significantly alter muscle activity of GMeds, TA, and PL. However, the magnitude of the difference in the mean %MVIC between groups shows the compensatory mechanism of the body when subjected to different surface conditions. This can be used when creating injury prevention programs of the lower extremity.

BACKGROUND: Muscular imbalance in the core and hip is one of the major risk factors associated with PFPS. There is evidence that decreased strength of the hip musculature is present in individuals with PFPS. This decrease in hip strength can also affect the stability of the core and further predisposes an athlete to injury. OBJECTIVES: This is a cross-sectional study that compares the hip muscle strength and core stability of collegiate football players with and without PFPS. METHODS: 25 participants (10 with PFPS and 15 without PFPS) participated in the study. Hip strength was measured using a digital handheld dynamometer. Core stability was assessed through the McGill Core Strength test and the 8-stage stability test. RESULTS: The hip adductors showed to be significantly weaker in those with PFPS as compared to those without PFPS ( p=0.040). No differences were found in the hip flexor (p=0.812), hip extensor (p=0.460) and abductors (p=0.126) strength while the core musculature showed that there is a statistically significant difference on the endurance of the lateral core musculature (p<0.001) and trunk flexors (p=0.027) between the two groups. CONCLUSION Football athletes without PFPS in this study demonstrated greater core stability and hip adductor muscle strength compared to those without PFPS.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome ; Lower Extremity ; Football

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the sports industry, postponing events worldwide. To adapt to the situation, athletes have been forced to train at home. Bubble training was introduced to provide a safe and conducive training environment while adhering to government health protocols. However, concerns have emerged regarding the set-up’s implementation. Objective: The study aims to explore the lived experiences of UAAP Season 84 and NCAA Season 97 student-athletes who underwent bubble training. Methods: The study will employ a qualitative phenomenological approach based on Seligman's Well-Being Theory. A purposive sampling technique will be used to recruit at least seven eligible student-athletes. Data will be collected through on-site or online interviews using a semi-structured interview guide to reveal a narrative of the student-athletes' bubble training experiences, common themes, and patterns. Deductive thematic analysis approach will be used with the help of the NVivo software program. Expected Results This study is expected to develop themes from the daily bubble training routines, habits, coping strategies, and perceived thoughts and feelings of Filipino collegiate student-athletes, regarding their emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement in bubble training. This may provide insights to the government, educational institutions, and athletic associations on possible comprehensive guidelines if they plan to implement bubble training when the need arises.
Athletes ; Students

BACKGROUND

Musculoskeletal injuries are common in collegiate athletes and can be linked to having elevated levels of kinesiophobia. Kinesiophobia, the fear of re-injury or movement, can be related to an athlete’s self-esteem, as studies have shown that both variables may influence an athlete’s rehabilitation. High athletic identity and low levels of kinesiophobia were seen in athletes who successfully returned to their pre-injury level of competition after rehabilitation. The working theory of this research is if an athlete has an elevated level of kinesiophobia, it decreases one’s self-esteem.

This study aims to determine the association between kinesiophobia and self-esteem among collegiateathletes in Greater Manila who have chronic lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries. The secondary objective of this study is to determine the association of kinesiophobia with demographic variables (sex, sport, and type of injury).

The study will be conducted from January 2023 to April 2024. The researchers will utilize online platforms and/or onsite data collection to disseminate their publication materials and questionnaires. The target participants of this study are collegiate athletes, ages 18-26, representing universities/colleges in Greater Manila, who currently have a lower extremity musculoskeletal injury lasting for 3 months or more and are not receiving physical therapy or other forms of professional treatment. The questionnaire includes the participant’s name, age, sex, university, sport, type of injury, and measuring tools: Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Numerical Pain Rating Scale. The results gathered will be analyzed using the Spearman Correlation Test to associate the variable and the Shapiro-Wilk Test to determine the normality of data.

The results of the study are expected to determine the association between kinesiophobia and self-esteem among collegiate athletes with chronic lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries. The study is also expected to determine if demographic variables such as sex, type of sport, and type of injury are linked to the athletes’ kinesiophobia levels. Thus, this study will aid in establishing the importance of psychological aspects in injury rehabilitation, thereby assisting healthcare professionals in determining the appropriate interventions for an athlete recovering from an injury.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the sports industry, resulting in the postponement of events worldwide. This posed a significant burden in the mental and emotional well-being of athletes due to uncertainties and diminished training levels. As an adaptation, bubble camps emerged as a new approach to resuming training and tournaments under stringent regulations of the COVID-19 protocols. In the national context, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) has adapted the bubble set-up by implementing antigen testing, RTPCR, and other health protocols as a prerequisite to bubble training. However, uncertainties in the future of sports continue to present as a psychological toll to the well-being of student-athletes despite the sense of normalcy instilled by bubble training. Existing literature on bubble training is grounded heavily on the quantitative assessments of an athlete's well-being in a bubble set-up and its effectiveness in mitigating COVID-19 transmission, thereby lacking insights that may be obtained from qualitative data. This study explored the experiences of UAAP Season 84 studentathletes in a bubble set-up by examining personal and contextual factors that impacted their well-being.

The study employed a qualitative descriptive phenomenological approach based on Seligman's WellBeing Theory. A purposeful sampling technique was used to recruit UAAP student-athletes through online dissemination of Google Forms for recruitment. Only three student-athletes from UAAP fit the eligibility criteria. Data were collected through on-site and online interviews using a semi-structured interview guide to reveal a narrative of the student-athletes' bubble training experiences, common themes, and patterns. The NVivo software program was used for data analysis, utilizing a deductive thematic approach.

The lived experiences of three UAAP studentathletes were classified into six major themes: (1) Availability and Accessibility of Services; (2) Restrictions; (3) Mental Health; (4) Fostering Relationships; (5) Support Systems; and (6) Individual Growth. Accounts of both positive and negative training perceptions and outcomes regarding the bubble set-up were noted from all student-athletes. The set-up provided studentathletes with easy access to training facilities and services, eventual development of mental fortitude and  perseverance, improved interpersonal relationships, and opportunities for individual growth. However, the restrictions, isolation, internal and external pressures, and routinary nature of the set-up contributed to the elevated levels of stress and anxiety, eventually leading to fatigue and burnout.

The study elucidates on the multi-faceted experiences of UAAP student-athletes in bubble training, underpinning the essence of the adequacy of training services and facilities, enhanced support systems, and prompt policy development that caters to improving the holistic well-being of student-athletes amidst adverse changes in the trajectory of sports.

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic brought insurmountable changes, leading to work demands and resource limitations that placed additional physical and occupational stress.

This study aimed to determine the change in the occurrence and intensity of musculoskeletal discomfort among selected university faculty members. It also determined the association of sociodemographic and anthropometric factors, workplace conditions, and involvement in physical activity with musculoskeletal pain.

This is an analytical cross-sectional study conducted from June 2022 to May 2023 that surveyed university faculty members from Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. Outcome measures include sociodemographic data, anthropometric measures of weight, height, body mass index, workplace conditions, exercise participation, and musculoskeletal discomfort using the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire.

Data from 120 participants, mostly female, with an average BMI of 27.78 ± 12.09 kg/m2 and 11.82 ± 10.39 years of teaching experience revealed increased computer usage and reduced teaching hours during the Pandemic lockdown. There was also prevalent musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD), particularly in the neck, shoulder, and upper back. Factors associated with increased MSD were female gender, longer computer use, and pre pandemic MSD history.

This study underscores the significance of addressing ergonomic factors and work conditions to mitigate MSD risks among educators during challenging situations.