Measurement invariance and latent mean differences of the Chinese version physical activity self-efficacy scale across gender and education levels

Background: Self-efficacy has been identified as an important determinant of youth's behavior change including physical activity(PA) participation. However, the dimensionality check of a PA self-efficacy scale has rarely been conducted in China. The current study aims to examine(1) the unidimensionality of a shortened Chinese version of PA self-efficacy scale(S-PASESC);(2) the measurement invariance of S-PASESC across gender and levels of education;(3) the latent factor mean difference between gender and levels of education;(4) the direct effects of self-efficacy on PA by different gender and education levels; and(5) the comparisons of the direct effects of self-efficacy on PA across gender and education levels.Methods: The participants were 5 th through 11 th grade public school students recruited from 7 cities located in different geographic regions of China. The final data include a total of 3003 participants(49.7% boys) who have completed the scales.Results: Confirmatory factor analysis(CFA) test supported the unidimensionality of S-PASESC. The S-PASESC is invariant across gender and 3 levels of education at both configural, full metric, and full scalar levels. Findings from latent mean comparisons showed that boys reported higher PA self-efficacy than girls. Students' perceived PA self-efficacy tend to decrease from elementary to high school. Finally, self-efficacy positively related to PA by groups of different gender and education levels and the relationship between self-efficacy and PA is stronger among middle school boys than girls.Conclusion: Findings suggest S-PASESC is a valid scale for measuring Chinese students' PA self-efficacy.

The contribution of small and large sensory afferents to postural control in patients with peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy(PN) is a multifarious disorder that is caused by damage to the peripheral nerves. Although the symptoms of PN vary with the etiology, most cases are characterized by impaired tactile and proprioceptive sensation that progresses in a distal to proximal manner. Balance also tends to deteriorate as the disorder becomes more severe, and those afflicted are substantially more likely to fall while walking compared with those who are healthy. Most patients with PN walk more cautiously and with greater stride variability than age-matched controls, but the majority of their falls occur when they must react to a perturbation such as a slippery or uneven surface. The purpose of this study was to first describe the role of somatosensory feedback in the control of posture and then discuss how that relationship is typically affected by the most common types of PN. A comprehensive review of the scientific literature was conducted using MEDLINE, and the relevant information was synthesized. The evidence indicates that the proprioceptive feedback that is conveyed primarily through larger type I afferents is important for postural control. However, the evidence indicates that the tactile feedback communicated through smaller type II afferents is particularly critical to the maintenance of balance. Many forms of PN often lead to chronic tactile desensitization in the soles of the feet and, although the central nervous system seems to adapt to this smaller type II afferent dysfunction by relying on more larger type I afferent reflex loops, the result is still decreased stability. We propose a model that is intended both to help explain the relationship between stability and the smaller type II afferent and the larger type I afferent feedback that may be impaired by PN and to assist in the development of pertinent rehabilitative interventions.

Biomechanics of ankle giving way:A case report of accidental ankle giving way during the drop landing test

Background:Several case studies observed that the lateral ankle sprain resulted from a sudden increase in ankle inversion accompanied by internal rotation.However,without sufficient ankle kinetics and muscle activity information in the literature,the detailed mechanism of ankle sprain is still unrevealed.The purpose of our case report is to present 2 accidental ankle giving way incidents for participants with chronic ankle instability(CAI)and compare to their normal trials with data of kinematics,kinetics,and electromyography(EMG).Case description:Two young female participants accidentally experienced the ankle giving way when landing on a 25°lateral-tilted force plate.3 D kinematics,kinetics,and muscle activity were recorded for the lower extremity.Qualitative comparisons were made between the giving way trials and normal trials for joint angles,angular velocities,moments,centers of pressure and EMG linear envelopes.Results:One participant’s giving way trial displayed increased ankle inversion and internal rotation angles in the pre-landing phase and at initial contact compared to her normal trials.Another participant’s giving way trial exhibited greater hip abduction angles and delayed activation of the peroneus longus muscle in the pre-landing phase versus her normal trials.Conclusion:A vulnerable ankle position(i.e.,more inverted and internally rotated),and a late activation of peroneus activity in the pre-landing phase could result in the ankle giving way or even sprains.A neutral ankle position and early activation of ankle evertors before landing may be helpful in preventing ankle sprains.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of an ankle instability questionnaire for use in Chinese-speaking population

Background:The Identification of Functional Ankle Instability(IdFAI)is a valid and reliable tool to identify chronic ankle instability;however,it was developed in English,thus limiting its usage only to those who can read and write in English.The objectives of our study were to(1)cross-culturally adapt a Chinese(Mandarin)version of the IdFAI and(2)determine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version IdFAI.Methods:The cross-cultural adaptation procedures used by the investigators and translators followed previously published guidelines and included 6 stages:(1)initial translation,(2)synthesis of the translations,(3)back translation,(4)developing the pre-final version for field testing,(5)testing the pre-final version,and(6)finalizing the Chinese version of IdFAI(IdFAI-C).Five psychometric properties of the IdFAI-C were assessed from results of 2 participant groups:bilingual(n=20)and Chinese(n=625).Results:A high degree of agreement was found between the English version of IdFAI and IdFAI-C(intra-class correlation_(2,1)=0.995).An excellent internal consistency(Cronbach'sα=0.89),test—retest reliability(intra-class correlation_(2,1)=0.970),and construct validity(r(625)=0.67)was also found for the IdFAI-C.In addition,the results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis indicated that ankle instability was the only construct measured from the IdFAI.Conclusion:The IdFAI-C is a highly reliable and valid self-report questionnaire that can be used to assess ankle instability.Therefore,we suggest that it can be used to effectively and accurately assess chronic ankle instability in clinical settings for Chinese-speaking individuals.

Exercise is...?: A commentary response

In the recent issue of Journal of Sport Health and Science,the question of'Is exercise medicine or what?'was posed.We wish to follow the editors’suggestion to'...stimulate further discussion on the topic'1by offering additional points of consideration to those discussed by Nesti2in'Exercise for health:Serious fun for the whole person?'.We will specifically