Heather Vincent

University of Florida | UF

Purpose To evaluate patient-caregiver beliefs of relative importance across 4 domains while living with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods This was a cross-sectional, anonymous survey study conducted in an academic medical center. Participants with JIA and caregivers (N = 151) completed a Likert-style survey to rate items by importance o...

Body weight significantly impacts health and quality of life, and is a leading risk factor for the development of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Weight cycling may have more negative health consequences compared to steady high or low weight. Using the Osteoarthritis Initiative dataset, we investigated the effects of weight cycling on physical function,...

Background: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe basic characteristics of archery athletes and examine injuries reported among archers of a variety of demographic and experience levels. Methods: Participants at various archery competitions were asked to complete a 27-item survey that included demographics, bow type, archery expe...

Purpose Muscle contraction type in resistance exercise training may confer benefits besides strength in individuals with osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks. The purpose of the study was to explore whether Eccentric-resistance training (RT) improved hemodynamic responses to acute walking exercise stress compared to Concentric-RT a...

While there is some research investigating whole foods or diets that are easily understood and accessible to patients with osteoarthritis, specific nutrients or nutraceuticals are more commonly identified. Unfortunately, guidelines and evidence surrounding individual nutrients, extracts, and nutraceuticals are conflicting and are more difficult to...

Gymnastics is a popular sport with a high injury rate, particularly at the collegiate level. Achilles tendon rupture is a catastrophic injury with career-changing impact. Over the last decade, there has been a growing incidence of Achilles tendon ruptures, especially in female gymnasts. Currently, neither the effects of contributing risk factors on...

Purpose: The purposes of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to: 1) appraise the available evidence of telerehabilitation program effects on functional outcomes, adherence and patient satisfaction compared to face-to-face programs after stroke, and 2) provide direction for future outcome measure selection and development for clinical res...

This 2-phase pilot initiative determined whether (1) fitness testing could feasibly be implemented in pediatric practice, and (2) short-term changes in fitness and body mass index occur with Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based (SMART) goals. Phase 1 (N = 580), clinic feasibility: evidence-based prognostic tests were successfu...

Context: The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance formed a secondary prevention task group to develop a consensus on secondary prevention recommendations to reduce the risk of osteoarthritis after a knee injury. Objective: Our goal was to provide clinicians with secondary prevention recommendations that are intended to reduce the risk of osteoarthriti...

After an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, people need secondary prevention strategies to identify osteoarthritis at its earliest stages so that interventions can be implemented to halt or slow the progression toward its long-term burden. The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance formed an interdisciplinary Secondary Prevention Task Group to develo...

This prospective cohort study examined the impact of high anxiety levels on psychological state and gait performance during recovery in runners with lower body injuries. Recreational runners diagnosed with lower body injuries who had reduced running volume (N = 41) were stratified into groups using State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scores: high...

Healthy running form is characterized by motion that minimizes mechanical musculoskeletal injury risks and improves coactivation of muscles that can buffer impact loading and reduce stresses related to chronic musculoskeletal pain. The American College of Sports Medicine Consumer Outreach Committee recently launched an infographic that describes se...

Objectives Headgear use is a controversial issue in girls’ lacrosse. We compared concussion rates among high school lacrosse players in an American state with a headgear mandate (HM) to states without an HM. Methods Participants included high schools with girls’ lacrosse programmes in the USA. Certified athletic trainers reported athlete exposure...

Background Kinesiophobia may hinder physical performance measures and functional quality of life in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). This study aims to quantify differences in physical function in patients with JIA compared to healthy controls, and determine the effects of kinesiophobia on physical function and physical activity....

Background Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) may adopt different movement patterns and participate in physical activity during different states of disease. Research Question Which specific features of gait and physical function performance differ among children with active or inactive JIA compared to healthy children? Methods Fort...

Background Some probiotics appear to improve athletic performance, endurance, and recovery after intense exercise. Other formulations may provide performance-related benefits via immune and gastrointestinal functions in athletic individuals. However, few formulations have been studied for both types of effects among non-elite athletes. The primary...

Background Outcomes data of intramedullary nail fixation (IMN) constructs for complex Schatzker VI tibial plateau fractures are scant in the literature. This study compares the clinical and radiographic outcomes of IMN, dual plate, and single plate constructs for Schatzker IV tibial plateau fractures. Methods Retrospective cohort study of sixty-tw...

Background: Kinesiophobia may hinder physical performance measures and functional quality of life in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). This study aims to quantify differences in physical function in patients with JIA compared to healthy controls, and determine the effects of kinesiophobia on physical function and physical activity....

This review describes the available evidence of the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, referred to COVID-19) pandemic on musculoskeletal injury patterns and prevalence in athletes. A brief overview of the epidemiology of COVID-19 and prevalence in active populations from youth through professional are provided. Responses to COVID...

Chronic pain contributes to allostatic load (AL). Individuals with protective psychosocial and biobehavioral factors report lower levels of clinical pain. We have previously shown a relationship between a resilience index, telomere length, and brain structure. This study aims to assess the relationships between AL, a resilience index, and clinical...

Background For persons with osteoarthritis (OA), nutrition education may facilitate weight and OA symptom management. Objective The primary aim of this study was to determine preferred OA-related nutritional and weight management topics and their preferred delivery modality. The secondary aim was to determine if there is a disconnect between what...

Headgear adoption is a controversial issue in girls' lacrosse due to concerns that headgear use will facilitate greater risk-taking by players and contribute to more aggressive game play behaviours. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate high school girls' lacrosse players' attitudes towards headgear before and after a season of use. Twent...

Anti-gravity treadmill training is a therapeutic option to help recovering runners return to activity after injury. This current concept paper provides a synopsis of the latest evidence of the biomechanical and metabolic changes that occur with body weight support (BWS) treadmill training, effects of antigravity treadmill training on clinical outco...

This current concept, narrative review provides the latest integrated evidence of the musculoskeletal injuries involved with trail running and therapeutic strategies to prevent injury and promote safe participation. Running activities that comprise any form of off-road running (trail running, orienteering, short-long distance, different terrain, an...

Background Bat swing and grip type may contribute to hook of hamate fractures in baseball players. Purpose To compare the effects of swing type and batting grip on the pressure and rate of pressure development over the hook of hamate in collegiate baseball players. Study Design Descriptive laboratory study. Level of evidence, 3. Methods This was...

Physiatry is a medical specialty focused on improving functional outcomes in patients with a variety of medical conditions that affect the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. Social determinants of health (SDH) play a key role in determining therapeutic process and patient functional outcomes. Big...

Objectives: The use of headgear is a controversial issue in girls' lacrosse. We compared concussion rates among high school lacrosse players wearing versus not wearing lacrosse headgear. Methods: Study participants included a sample of convenience of high schools with girls' lacrosse from across the United States. Certified athletic trainers report...

Children with obesity experience musculoskeletal pain and reduced physical function and well-being, which collectively impact their fitness, strength, motor skills, and even their ability to undertake simple tasks, like walking and climbing stairs. Disrupting obesity-related disability may be critical to increasing children's physical activity. Thu...

Background Girls’ lacrosse headgear that met the ASTM International performance standard (ASTM F3137) became available in 2017. However, the effects of headgear use on impact forces during game play are unknown. Purpose To evaluate potential differences in rates, magnitudes, and game-play characteristics associated with verified impacts among play...

This study determined the prevalence of joint pain among lacrosse officials and described the impact of pain thereof on current officiating duties on the field. Members of the US Lacrosse Officials Development Programme were provided with an electronic survey (a 15.7% response rate resulted in N = 1,441 of completed surveys). Pain sites and severit...

Background Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis that impacts biomechanical features of gait. This systematic review describes the effects of JIA on gait motion parameters and walking performance. Methods Six databases were searched (PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, the EBSCOHost database SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, and...

Objective: To determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with musculoskeletal injuries sustained in female adolescent volleyball players. Methods: Volleyball players (n=276; 13-18 years), with any level of volleyball experience, were recruited. Participants completed a study-specific survey about their overall sport(s) involvement, tra...

A progressive, treadmill-based VO2max is the gold standard of cardiorespiratory fitness determination but is rarely used in pediatric clinics due to time requirements and cost. Simpler and shorter fitness tests such as the Squat Test or Step Test may be feasible and clinically useful alternatives. However, performance comparisons of these tests to...

Objectives This study evaluates the associations between post injury depressive symptomology and opioid use from the initial time of injury in orthopedic trauma patients without pre-existing psychiatric conditions. Design and setting This is a prospective study following the development of symptoms after orthopedic trauma injury conducted at a Lev...

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of concentrically-focused resistance training (CNCRT) to eccentrically-focused resistance training (ECCRT) on physical function and functional pain in knee osteoarthritis (OA). Design: Randomized, single-blinded controlled four-month trial. Older adults with knee OA (N=88; 68.3±6.4 yr, 30.4±6.9 kg/m and 67...

Background: Orthopaedic trauma patients frequently experience mobility impairment, fear-related issues, self-care difficulties, and work-related disability [12, 13]. Recovery from trauma-related injuries is dependent upon injury severity as well as psychosocial factors [2, 5]. However, traditional treatments do not integrate psychosocial and early...

Objective: Some recreational runners with obesity successfully train or compete without musculoskeletal injury. Insight into the key kinetic strategies of injury-free heavier runners is necessary to appropriately guide development of safe training programs for this population. This study determined key biomechanical strategies of running in indivi...

Exertional heat stroke is one of the top three causes of death in young athletes, particularly high school football players. Despite evidence that these deaths are completely avoidable with appropriate prevention and treatment, deaths still occur at an alarming rate. Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is the preferred method of both the National Ath...

Background: The aim of this systematic review was to identify principles of exercise interventions associated with improved physical function, weight management or musculoskeletal pain relief among young and middle-aged adults with obesity and propose an evidence-based exercise prescription that could assist in secondary prevention of osteoarthrit...

Context Early sports sampling is associated with superior biomechanics in youth athletes; however, the effect of multisport participation on adult biomechanics is unknown. Objective To compare jump-landing biomechanics between adult recreational athletes who previously participated in 0, 1, or 2 or more select high school varsity sports (VSs; bask...

The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow has been a subject of extensive research and discussion in recent years not only in the medical community but also in the media and by coaches, players, and parents. This is in part due to the rising incidence of UCL injuries and subsequent surgical reconstruction, specifically in overhead throwing a...

Tutorial session from ACSM on the Science of Lacrosse

Lacrosse imposes multiple simultaneous physical demands during play including throwing and catching a ball while holding a crosse, running, cutting, and jumping. Often, these skills are completed while experiencing contact from another player leading to both on-and-off platform movements. Other motions include defensive blocking and pushing past de...

Purpose In an effort to reduce head and facial injuries in girls’ lacrosse, ASTM F3137-approved headgear for girls’ lacrosse was developed. However, the effect of wearing headgear on impacts during girls’ lacrosse game play is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate differences in impact rates and magnitudes across two conditions (No Headgear, and He...

Lacrosse imposes multiple simultaneous physical demands during play including throwing and catching a ball while holding a crosse, running, cutting, and jumping. Often, these skills are completed while experiencing contact from another player leading to both on-and-off platform movements. Other motions include defensive blocking and pushing past de...

Background: The study purpose was to determine whether 2-stage revision procedures result in superior outcomes and whether reverse shoulder arthroplasty produced superior outcomes to hemiarthroplasty or anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty at the time of reimplantation. Methods: Our prospectively collected database was retrospectively reviewed f...

The hemiparetic walking pattern is a common feature of an upper motor neuron impairment caused by stroke. Previous studies have recorded deviations in hemiparetic walking patterns. We aimed to quantify gait alterations poststroke relative to healthy gait across a range of walking speeds by a systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched database...

Purpose: Approximately 185 000 individuals undergo limb amputations every year. Of this population, 40% experience lower extremity amputations. A common musculoskeletal condition that develops after amputation is chronic low back pain (LBP). LBP may be a consequence of one or combined mechanical factors including muscle atrophy, strength loss, leve...

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of eccentrically focused resistance exercise (ECC RT) to concentrically focused resistance exercise (CNC RT) on knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms and strength. Methods: Ninety participants consented. Participants were randomized to CNC RT, ECC RT, or a wait-list, no-exercise control group. F...

Different landing surfaces may affect lower extremity biomechanical performance during athletic tasks. The magnitude of this effect on clinical screening measures such as jump-landings is unknown. This study determined the effect of court (CS), grass (GS), and tile (TS) surfaces on Landing Error Scoring System (LESS) grades. A repeated-measures des...

The ‘‘foot doming’’ exercise is a simple but effective foundational exercise for running rehabilitation and injury prevention programs to improve activation of the foot muscles. This clinical pearl describes this exercise and provides key evidence of effects.

Objectives: This study explored the relationships between negative affective states (depression and anxiety), physical/functional status, and emotional well-being during early treatment and later in recovery after orthopaedic trauma injury. Design: This was a secondary observational analysis from a randomized controlled study performed at a Leve...

Background Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is the only major risk factor that is not routinely assessed in the clinical setting, for preventive medicine. A valid and practical CRF test is needed for use in the clinics. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the validity of a 3-minute squat test to assess CRF in primary care. Methods A cross...

Lacrosse is a fast-paced game that incorporates elements from multiple sports, such as soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis, and hockey. The sport involves rapid changes of direction, endurance, sprinting, physical contact, rotational movement, passing, and shooting. Passing and shooting are further complicated by having a weighted object (ball) at...

Lacrosse is a fast-paced game that incorporates elements from multiple sports, such as soccer, basketball, baseball, tennis, and hockey. The sport involves rapid changes of direction, endurance, sprinting, physical contact, rotational movement, passing, and shooting. Passing and shooting are further complicated by having a weighted object (ball) at...

Kinetic variables of running mechanics have been implicated in the development of bony and soft tissue injuries. Progressively heavier runners may be at an increased risk for lower extremity injuries due to kinetic factors, but this has yet to be examined. The relationships between running kinetics and recent lower extremity injury among runners of...

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee leads to physical disability and avoidance of activity. Resistance exercise can reduce pain and increase leg strength, but it is not yet clear how resistance exercise (RX) impacts habitual physical activity levels. Purpose: To determine whether resistance-exercise induced changes in physical function and pain relief...

Background Throwing injuries are common in high school baseball. Known risk factors include excessive pitch counts, year-round pitching, and pitching with arm pain and fatigue. Despite the evidence, the prevalence of pitching injuries among high school players has not decreased. One possibility to explain this pattern is that players accumulate una...

Purpose: Depressive symptoms have a known negative impact on outcomes following musculoskeletal injury. This study determined the pre-injury prevalence of psychiatric diagnoses of depression and anxiety, medication lapses and psychiatric consult services among patients admitted for orthopaedic trauma. Methods: This is a retrospective study of da...