A research first through the Waters College of Health Professions gives physical therapists a new resource in assessing and treating patients

A new study authored by faculty from 快猫app短视鈥檚 Waters College of Health Professions (WCHP) is the first to establish baseline data for the single-leg bridge (SLB) in healthy young adults. This gives physical therapists a tool that was previously missing from patient treatment, said Assistant Professor Nancy Henderson, DPT.
鈥淧hysical therapists have to set goals for their patients,鈥 she explained. 鈥淵ou would normally start with what a typical, healthy individual is able to do, but we didn鈥檛 have those numbers until now.鈥
The research is also notable for being the first to accurately assess the SLB without expensive electromyography equipment. The new data makes the exercise more accessible and practical, according to Henderson.
“Knowing that you can accurately measure this kind of position, regardless of clinic finances, is really valuable,鈥 she said.
Henderson, who is an assistant professor in WCHP’s Department of Clinical Sciences, collaborated with her colleague, Haley Worst, DPT. Together, they observed 77 healthy participants after a five-minute warm-up and video demonstration. The group was majority female and had an average age of 20.
Results showed that the average for a participant鈥檚 dominant leg was 65.2 seconds. For the nondominant leg it was 63.9 seconds. They were allowed two-minute breaks between tests.
These findings were highlighted in “.鈥&苍产蝉辫;
Published this year in the “,” the article also states that the muscle groups activated during the SLB, trunk and pelvic 鈥渉ave been recognized as indicators of fitness and injury risk, particularly in high-performance populations such as military personnel.鈥&苍产蝉辫;
Worst, who is an associate professor and director of the DPT program, emphasized this specific application. She and Henderson have more than a decade of experience working with members of the armed forces and say having baseline data will be a major asset in treating this population.
鈥淏ecause it holds our body up all day long, the core actually benefits more from endurance tests and training,鈥 Worst explained. 鈥淚f they have chronic pain or some sort of functional instability, their endurance strength is going to tell me a lot more about their ability to do their job.鈥
The duo acknowledged this research is just a starting point, but are hopeful the University鈥檚 research support will allow them to do more.
鈥淲hen you teach a full course load, it鈥檚 hard to find the time,鈥 Worst said. 鈥淲ith more support and resources, it鈥檚 easier to devote that time to research. Ultimately, I hope that our work now and in the future will help improve clinical practice through evidence.鈥
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