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Biomedical subjects

M Howard

Publications and source records attributed to M Howard.

243 records · Page 14Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Differences in friction and torsional resistance in athletic shoe-turf surface interfaces.

This study evaluated the shoe-surface interaction of 15 football shoes made by 3 manufacturers in both anterior translation and rotation using a specially designed pneumatic testing system. The shoes included traditional cleated football shoes, "court" shoes (basketball-style shoes), molded-cleat shoes, and turf shoes. Under an 11.35-kg (25-pound) axial load, all shoes were tested on synthetic turf under wet and dry conditions and on natural stadium grass. Test-retest reliability, as calculated using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation test, was 0.85 for force of translation and 0.55 for the moment of rotation. The wet versus dry surface values on translation were significantly different for rotation about the tibial axis. Spatting, which is protective taping of the ankle and heel applied on the outside of the shoe, resulted in a reduction of forces generated in both translation and rotation. No overall difference between shoes on grass versus AstroTurf was noted. However, there were significant differences for cleated and turf shoes. Shoes tested in conditions for which they were not designed exhibited reproducible excessive or extreme minimal friction characteristics that may have safety implications. On the basis of this study, we urge shoe manufacturers to display suggested indications and playing surface conditions for which their shoes are recommended.

Equipment Design↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Screening seniors for risk of functional decline: results of a survey in family practice.

OBJECTIVE: To measure functional status, determine risk of functional decline and assess consistency between responses and standardized instruments. DESIGN: A mailed survey which measured functional impairment, recent hospitalization and bereavement. A positive response on at least one of these factors indicated that the individual was "at risk" for functional decline. A random sample (n = 73) of "at risk" subjects (specifically, family practice patients aged 70 and older) were assessed by a nurse. RESULTS: The response rate was 89% (369/415), 59% of seniors were female and the mean age was 77.1 (SD = 5.5) years. Self-reported risk, based on activities of daily living (ADLs), was associated with impairment in at least one basic ADL (p < 0.0005) using a standardized instrument. The positive predictive value of the survey for ADL impairment was 65%. CONCLUSION: Response to a mailed survey was high and self-reported ADL risks were consistent with findings from standardized assessment tools.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Helping teenagers postpone sexual involvement.

In 1983, the Henry W. Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta began a family planning-based outreach program for eighth graders in a local school system. The program is led by older teenagers and focuses on helping students resist peer and social pressures to initiate sexual activity. Evaluation of the program, based on telephone interviews with 536 students from the hospital's low-income population, revealed that among students who had not had sexual intercourse, those who participated in the program were significantly more likely to continue to postpone sexual activity through the end of the ninth grade than were similar students who did not participate in the program. Because of their lower rate of sexual activity, program students also experienced comparatively fewer pregnancies than no-program students.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

School-based programs to reduce sexual risk behaviors: a review of effectiveness.

This review was undertaken in recognition of the mounting public health and social problems associated with adolescent sexual behavior and the importance of basing school-affiliated programs designed to reduce sexual risk-taking behavior on sound research. The authors were commissioned by the Division of Adolescent and School Health within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Service, to review carefully the research on these programs and to assess their impact on behavior. The authors identified 23 studies of school-based programs that were published in professional journals and measured program impact on behavior. They then summarized the results of those studies, identifying the distinguishing characteristics of effective programs, and citing important research questions to be addressed in the future. Not all sex and AIDS education programs had significant effects on adolescent sexual risk-taking behavior, but specific programs did delay the initiation of intercourse, reduce the frequency of intercourse, reduce the number of sexual partners, or increase the use of condoms or other contraceptives. These effective programs have the potential to reduce exposure to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease, including HIV infection. These programs should be replicated widely in U.S. schools. Additional research is needed to improve the effectiveness of programs and to clarify the most important characteristics of effective programs.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiology and management of open fractures of the lower limb.

Epidemiological analysis indicates that 40% of open fractures occur in the lower limb and that the tibial and femoral diaphyses are most commonly affected. Recent advances in fracture stabilization and soft tissue reconstruction technique have improved the outcome of these fractures.

Amputation, Surgical↗