by Andrew Marshall

Social Connections & Health

From an article by David Loxterkamp in the British Medical Journal: “Our social connections also seem to have a strong influence on health. In 2007, Nicholas Christakis and James Fowler tracked the social connections of more than 12 000 residents of Framingham, Massachusetts, over three generations (1). They found that the risk of becoming obese… Read More

by Andrew Marshall

HDL Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Mortality

High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is a strong predictor of reduced cardiovascular mortality in the general population, and drugs to increase HDL cholesterol have been seen as potential successors to statins – which have been huge profit makes for the pharmaceutical industry. But none developed so far has shown any protective effect. And a new study… Read More

by Andrew Marshall

School & Physical Activity in English Schoolchildren

Research Paper Title School Related Factors and 1yr Change in Physical Activity amongst 9-11 year old English Schoolchildren. Background Activity levels are known to decline with age and there is growing evidence of associations between the school environment and physical activity. In this study we investigated how objectively measured one-year changes in physical activity may… Read More

by Andrew Marshall

Tennis Elbow: TENS & Primary Care Management

Research Paper Title Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation as Adjunct to Primary Care Management for Tennis Elbow: Pragmatic Randomised Controlled Trial (TATE Trial). Study Question Can transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), as a patient controlled adjunct to primary care management for tennis elbow, provide superior pain relief to primary care management alone? Summary Answer TENS conferred… Read More

by Andrew Marshall

New Sub-section: First Aid at Work: Guidance for Fitness Professionals

A new sub-section ‘First Aid at Work: Guidance for Fitness Professionals’ is now available under the main page heading of ‘Regulations and Qualifications’. This new sub-section provides an overview of: The 2009 and 2013 legislation changes; Current qualifications and the difference between them; Update and refresher training; Group exercise versus one-to-one personal training; and Assessment needs… Read More

by Andrew Marshall

Predicting the Presence & Severity of a PTA in Asymptomatic Athletes

Research Paper Title A Lower Limb Assessment Tool for Athletes at risk of Developing Patellar Tendinopathy. Background Patellar tendon abnormality (PTA) on diagnostic imaging is part of the diagnostic criteria for patellar tendinopathy. PTA and altered landing strategies are primary risk factors that increase the likelihood of asymptomatic athletes developing patellar tendinopathy. Therefore, the aim… Read More