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PubMed1977

[Influence of considerable athletic training on the foot condition of young athletes at a boarding school with a cross-section of sports].

The present day sport inevitably causes enormous physical loading on the locomotor system of the sportsman, and in particular on his foot. To obtain best results in any sport is closely connected with participation of children in systematic purposive training, therefore a necessity arises to study the influence of different time-limited loadings on the locomotor system--foot of young sportsmen. The work represents the data on changes of different parameters of the foot under time-limited loading for 18-30 h per week of the children attending a boarding-school of sporting type, which is a new type of going in for sports for children and teen-agers. We have stated that at the age of 10-11 years some undesirable changes in the longitudinal foot vault (its flattening) are observed, especially in children going in for skiing or gymnastics. Inclusion in training lessons special exercises contributing to fixation of the foot muscular ligamentous system prevents it, to a great extent from overloading and undesirable anatomical disturbances.

Child↗
PubMed2003

Nutritional supplements in Norwegian elite athletes--impact of international ranking and advisors.

UNLABELLED: The aims of this study were to investigate (a) the use of nutritional supplements (NS) (vitamins, minerals, Omega 3, antioxidants, ginseng, amino acids, Creatine and energy supplements) in elite athletes of different international ranking (b) why athletes are using NS, and (c) who recommends the elite athletes to use NS. The total population of elite athletes in Norwegian National Teams (n = 1620, 960 males and 660 females aged 15-39 years) and randomly selected (n = 1681) (916 males and 765 females) controls from the general population, were given a questionnaire including questions about use of nutritional supplements (NS), and from whom athletes had received information about nutrition and recommendations to use NS. The response rate was 76% for male and 92% for female athletes and 75% and 81% for male and female controls, respectively. A similar percentage of female athletes (54%) and controls (52%) reported use of one or more NS, but more male athletes (51%) than male controls (32%) used NS (P < 0.001). However, independent of gender, more athletes as compared to controls used minerals (males 26% vs. 8%; females 42% vs. 20%), amino acids (males 12% vs. 4%; females 3% vs. 0), and Creatine (males 12% vs. 2%; females 3% vs. 0). A lower percentage of NS users were observed in the best female athletes (52%) as compared to female athletes with less experience of international competition (73%) (P < 0.01). In male athletes, NS use was independent of international ranking (49%-53%). The coach was the main advisor for use of NS for both male (58%) and female athletes (52%). For male and female athletes, the main reason for using NS was that they felt it was needed in addition to their daily intake (56% and 67%, respectively). Forty one percent of the male and 37% of the female athletes using NS felt they were well informed about nutrition in general and NS. However, 8% of the NS users did not know whether the NS they used was doping classified or not. IN CONCLUSION: we found that a similar percentage of female elite athletes and controls, but a higher percentage of male elite athletes than controls, reported the use of NS. There was a lower percentage of NS use among the top female athletes, but not the top male athletes as compared to the less successful elite athletes. The coach was the main advisor for NS use both for male and female elite athletes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Thermoregulatory responses of spinal cord injured and able-bodied athletes to prolonged upper body exercise and recovery.

STUDY DESIGN: Single trial, two factor repeated measures design. SETTING: England, Cheshire. OBJECTIVES: To examine the thermoregulatory responses of able-bodied (AB) athletes, paraplegic (PA) athletes and a tetraplegic (TP) athlete at rest, during prolonged upper body exercise and recovery. METHODS: Exercise was performed on a Monark cycle ergometer (Ergomedic 814E) adapted for arm exercise at 60% VO2 peak for 60 min in cool conditions ('normal' laboratory temperature; 21.5+/-1.7 degrees C and 47+/-7.8% relative humidity). Aural and skin temperatures were continually monitored. RESULTS: Mean (+/-S.D.) peak oxygen uptake values were greater (P<0. 05) for the AB when compared to the PA (3.45+/-0.45 l min-1 and 2. 00+/-0.46 l min-1, respectively). Peak oxygen uptake for the TP was 0.91 l min-1. At rest, aural temperature was similar between groups (36.2+/-0.3 degrees C, 36.3+/-0.3 degrees C and 36.3 degrees C for AB, PA and TP athletes, respectively). During exercise, aural temperature demonstrated relatively steady state values increasing by 0.6+/-0.4 degrees C and 0.6+/-0.3 degrees C for the AB and PA athletes, respectively. The TP athlete demonstrated a gradual rise in aural temperature throughout the exercise period of 0.9 degrees C. Thigh skin temperature increased by 1.3+/-2.5 degrees C for the AB athletes (P<0.05) whereas the PA athletes demonstrated little change in temperature (0.1+/-3.4 degrees C and -0.7 degrees C respectively). Calf temperature increased for the PA athletes by 1.0+/-3.6 degrees C (P<0.05), whereas a decrease was observed for the AB athletes of -1.0+/-2.0 degrees C (P<0.05) during the exercise period. During 30 min of passive recovery, the AB athletes demonstrated greater decreases in aural temperatures than those for the PA athletes (P<0. 05). Aural temperature for the TP increased peaking at 5 min of recovery remaining elevated until the end of the recovery period. Fluid consumption and weight losses were similar for the AB and PA athletes (598+/-433 ml and 403+/-368 ml; 0.38+/-0.39 kg and 0.38+/-0. 31 kg, respectively), whereas changes in plasma volume were greater for the AB athletes (-9.8+/-5.8% and 4.36+/-4.9%, respectively; P<0. 05). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that under the experimental conditions PA athletes are at no greater thermal risk than AB athletes. A relationship between the available muscle mass for heat production and sweating capacity appears evident for the maintenance of thermal balance. During recovery from exercise, decreases in aural temperature, skin temperature and heat storage were greatest for the AB athletes with the greatest capacity for heat loss and lowest for the TP athlete with the smallest capacity for heat loss. Initial observations on one TP athlete suggest substantial thermoregulatory differences when compared to AB and PA athletes.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Electrocardiographic changes in 1000 highly trained junior elite athletes.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the spectrum of electrocardiographic (ECG) changes in 1000 junior (18 or under) elite athletes. METHODS: A total of 1000 (73% male) junior elite athletes (mean (SD) age 15.7 (1.4) years (range 14-18); mean (SD) body surface area 1.73 (0.17) m2 (range 1.09-2.25)) and 300 non-athletic controls matched for gender, age, and body surface area had a 12 lead ECG examination. RESULTS: Athletes had a significantly higher prevalence of sinus bradycardia (80% v 19%; p<0.0001) and sinus arrhythmia (52% v 9%; p<0.0001) than non-athletes. The PR interval, QRS, and QT duration were more prolonged in athletes than non-athletes (153 (20) v 140 (18) milliseconds (p<0.0001), 92 (12) v 89 (7) milliseconds (p<0.0001), and 391 (27) v 379 (29) milliseconds (p = 0.002) respectively). The Sokolow voltage criterion for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and the Romhilt-Estes points score for LVH was more common in athletes (45% v 23% (p<0.0001) and 10% v 0% (p<0.0001) respectively), as were criteria for left and right atrial enlargement (14% v 1.2% and 16% v 2% respectively). None of the athletes with voltage criteria for LVH had left axis deviation, ST segment depression, deep T wave inversion, or pathological Q waves. ST segment elevation was more common in athletes than non-athletes (43% v 24%; p<0.0001). Minor T wave inversion (less than -0.2 mV) in V2 and V3 was present in 4% of athletes and non-athletes. Minor T wave inversion elsewhere was absent in non-athletes and present in 0.4% of athletes. CONCLUSIONS: ECG changes in junior elite athletes are not dissimilar to those in senior athletes. Isolated Sokolow voltage criterion for LVH is common; however, associated abnormalities that indicate pathological hypertrophy are absent. Minor T wave inversions in leads other than V2 and V3 may be present in athletes and non-athletes less than 16 but should be an indication for further investigation in older athletes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Self-perception in elite collegiate female gymnasts, cross-country runners, and track-and-field athletes.

OBJECTIVE: To compare self-perception between a group of competitive, elite female collegiate athletes (participating in gymnastics, cross country, and track and field) and a group of female political science students (nonathletic control subjects). We hypothesized that the athletic group would rate athletics as more important than would the nonathletic group, that the perception of athletic competence would correlate positively with self-worth for athletes only, and that the perception of athletic competence would have a stronger influence on self-worth in the athletic group. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The Self-perception Profile for College Students was completed by 32 athletes and 13 nonathletes. This profile measures 12 subscales plus Global Self-worth independently and generates scores that reflect the subject's perceived importance of and competence in each of the subscale areas. RESULTS: The athletes rated athletics as more important than did nonathletes, although this trend was nonsignificant when adjusted for age. As age increased, the importance of athletics decreased for both groups. There was a direct relationship between perceived athletic competence and self-worth for the athletes but not for the nonathletes. Variables that accounted for the Global Self-worth score in athletes were perceptions of Competence subscales for Appearance, Social Acceptance, Friendship, and Job. Variables that accounted for the Global Self-worth scores in the nonathletes were perceptions of Competence subscales for Romance, Morality, Humor, and Appearance. The athletic group had significantly lower Global Self-worth scores than the nonathletic group. CONCLUSIONS: The female athletes in this study derived a large component of their self-worth from their perceived athletic competence. Clinicians should bear in mind the relative importance of athletics to young female athletes and the relationship of perceived athletic ability to self-worth when treating these individuals.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Exposure of athletic trainers to potentially infectious bodily fluids in the high school setting.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of exposure to potentially infectious bodily fluids by athletic trainers in the high school setting in the performance of their daily responsibilities. We also looked at the actions of officials in dealing with athletes with bleeding injuries. DESIGN AND SETTING: Athletic trainer contact with athletes and incidents of exposure to potentially infectious bodily fluids were recorded at 18 high schools in northern New Jersey during the fall 1994 athletic season. The number of times officials removed an athlete from the game or required a change of uniform, or both, was also counted. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. SUBJECTS: Eighteen athletic trainers and 3537 student-athletes at 18 high schools in northern New Jersey. MEASUREMENTS: Number of contacts with athletes; number of contacts with potentially infectious bodily fluids; age of athlete; sport of athlete; whether the contact was in a practice or game; if in a game, whether the athlete was removed from the game by the official; and whether or not the athlete was required to clean or change the uniform. RESULTS: Of the athletic trainer contacts with athletes, 4.10% involved potentially infectious bodily fluids. The incidence of exposure to potentially infectious fluids was 12.9% of the athlete contacts. Athletes in game situations were required to change or clean a uniform in 23.7% of the bleeding incidents, and officials removed an athlete from a contest in 1.7% of the game-related bleeding incidents. CONCLUSIONS: Universal precautions and personal protective equipment should be used in the athletic setting. Further study into the application of rules by officials governing the participation of athletes with blood-stained uniforms is needed.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Self-reported comfort in athletic training of gender-specific and non-gender-specific injuries and issues.

CONTEXT: To assist athletes in maintaining optimal health, athletic trainers must work with athletes of both sexes. OBJECTIVE: To examine athletic trainers' comfort levels in providing care for gender-specific and non-gender-specific injuries and issues. DESIGN: We mailed 235 Gender Comfort in Athletic Training Questionnaires to program directors, who were asked to distribute and collect them. SETTING: We randomly selected 21 athletic training education program directors and invited them by e-mail to participate in the study. Fourteen program directors representing the 10 National Athletic Trainers' Association districts agreed to participate. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: A total of 192 participants returned completed questionnaires, for a response rate of 82% (103 women, 89 men; 101 senior athletic training students, 91 certified athletic trainers). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The questionnaire consisted of 17 injuries and issues common to both female and male athlete scenarios. Three gender-specific items were added to each scenario. Responses were scored on a 5-point scale anchored by 1 (very uncomfortable) and 5 (very comfortable). Participants were asked to indicate the reason for any degree of discomfort. Internal consistency, determined by the Cronbach alpha, was .92 for the female athlete scenario and .93 for the male athlete scenario. RESULTS: We found significant differences between women and men certified athletic trainers for the female and male athlete scenarios. Overall, women were more comfortable caring for female injuries and issues, whereas men were more comfortable caring for male injuries and issues. Certified athletic trainers reported more comfort overall than athletic training students. The most common underlying reason reported for discomfort in caring for female and male injuries and issues was experience level. CONCLUSIONS: Athletic training education programs should provide early and more deliberate experiences with injuries and issues of a more intimate nature, including those that are gender specific and non-gender specific. These experiences may increase athletic trainers' level of comfort in providing care to athletes of the opposite sex.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

Low bone density is an etiologic factor for stress fractures in athletes.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether low bone density and other risk factors for osteoporosis are associated with stress fractures in athletes. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Institutional sports injury clinic with primary and secondary care. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five athletes (nineteen women) with scintigraphically confirmed stress fractures matched for sex, age, weight, height, and exercise history with 25 control athletes with no history of bone injury. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Bone mineral density measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was significantly lower in athletes with fractures than in control athletes: In the spine, bone mineral density was 1.01 +/- 0.14 g/cm2 in athletes with fractures and 1.11 +/- 0.13 g/cm2 in control athletes (P = 0.02). In the femoral neck, it was 0.84 +/- 0.09 g/cm2 in athletes with fractures and 0.90 +/- 0.11 g/cm2 in control athletes (P = 0.005). It was also significantly lower in the Ward triangle (P = 0.01) and the greater trochanter (P = 0.01). Eight athletes with fractures and no control athletes had less than 90% of predicted age-related spine density (P = 0.01), and three athletes with fractures had bone mineral densities that were 2 SDs or more below this predicted level. More athletes with fractures than control athletes had current menstrual irregularity (amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea) (P less than 0.005). Fewer athletes with fractures were using oral contraceptives (P less than 0.05). Seven-day diet records indicated similar energy and nutrient intakes, except athletes with fractures had lower calcium intakes (697 +/- 242 mg/d compared with 832 +/- 309 mg/d; P = 0.02). Dairy product intake was lower in athletes with fractures since leaving high school (P less than 0.05). The incidence of a family history of osteoporosis was similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In athletes with similar training habits, those with stress fractures are more likely to have lower bone density, lower dietary calcium intake, current menstrual irregularity, and lower oral contraceptive use.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Catheter ablation in competitive athletes: indication.

Some supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (SVT), particularly if paroxysmal and/or related to Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW), may in some cases endanger an athlete's professional career due to hemodynamic consequences during athletic activity, which in some instances may be life-threatening. One must also take into account that in Italy the law makes antiarrhythmic drug treatment (AAD) incompatible with sport eligibility. For these reasons, the utilization of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in athletes has different indications as opposed to the normal population, since the primary goal is "the eligibility of the athlete." In our study, we discuss the criteria for indication of RFA in athletes with SVT on the basis of the data obtained from our population of athletes, studied over a 20-year period, from 1974 to the 31st of December 1993. These athletes were evaluated for arrhythmic events, utilizing a standardized cardioarrhythmological protocol: 1,325 athletes (1,125 men, 200 women, mean age 20.7 years). One subgroup included 380 athletes with WPW (28.7%), 22 athletes with aborted sudden death (1.6%), 6 of whom had WPW, 13 athletes with sudden death (0.98%), and 2 of whom had WPW. Another subgroup was formed by 116 top level elite professional athletes (TLA) (mean age 22.9 years), of which 10 of 116 (8.6%) had WPW and 12 of 116 (10.3%) had paroxysmal SVT. The most important indications for RFA in athletes are represented by: WPW asymptomatic at risk, symptomatic during athletic activity, and/or requiring AAD treatment: paroxysmal junctional reentrant tachycardia: when this condition is disabling and related to exercise and therefore compromising an athlete's performance and sports career. Paroxysmal junctional reentrant tachycardia is easily reproduced via transesophageal atrial pacing (TAP) during exercise (bicycle ergometer), common in athletes but normally the recurrences are concentrated only during the period in which the athlete is engaged in sport. Rare indications for RFA are focal or reentry, permanent SVT, and particularly junctional reentrant tachycardia. For each individual athlete, we have to consider the possible side-effects of RFA, the possible recurrences with psychobiological traumatic consequences, the effective recovery period, and the natural history of the tachyarrhythmias, which frequently disappear after interruption of the sports career.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The effect of neuromuscular training on the incidence of knee injury in female athletes. A prospective study.

To prospectively evaluate the effect of neuromuscular training on the incidence of knee injury in female athletes, we monitored two groups of female athletes, one trained before sports participation and the other not trained, and a group of untrained male athletes throughout the high school soccer, volleyball, and basketball seasons. Weekly reports included the number of practice and competition exposures and mechanism of injury. There were 14 serious knee injuries in the 1263 athletes tracked through the study. Ten of 463 untrained female athletes sustained serious knee injuries (8 noncontact), 2 of 366 trained female athletes sustained serious knee injuries (0 noncontact), and 2 of 434 male athletes sustained serious knee injuries (1 noncontact). The knee injury incidence per 1000 athlete-exposures was 0.43 in untrained female athletes, 0.12 in trained female athletes, and 0.09 in male athletes (P = 0.02, chi-square analysis). Untrained female athletes had a 3.6 times higher incidence of knee injury than trained female athletes (P = 0.05) and 4.8 times higher than male athletes (P = 0.03). The incidence of knee injury in trained female athletes was not significantly different from that in untrained male athletes (P = 0.86). The difference in the incidence of noncontact injuries between the female groups was also significant (P = 0.01). This prospective study demonstrated a decreased incidence of knee injury in female athletes after a specific plyometric training program.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

The drop-jump screening test: difference in lower limb control by gender and effect of neuromuscular training in female athletes.

BACKGROUND: A valgus lower limb alignment has been noted during noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries. A video drop-jump test can indicate an athlete's ability to control lower limb axial alignment in the coronal plane. HYPOTHESES: Female athletes have decreased knee separation distances on landing and acceleration; male athletes have a neutrally aligned lower limb position. A neuromuscular training program will significantly increase knee separation distance in female athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: The authors tested 325 female and 130 male athletes aged 11 to 19 years. The distance between the hips, knees, and ankles was measured during a drop-jump test. The separation distance between the knees and ankles was normalized by the hip separation distance. A neuromuscular training program (Sportsmetrics) was completed by 62 female athletes, and their jump-landing characteristics were reexamined. RESULTS: A marked decrease in knee separation distance was found on takeoff in 80% of female athletes and in 72% of male athletes. There was no difference between male and female athletes in the normalized knee and ankle separation distance during the landing and takeoff phases. The knee separation distance on landing was 23 +/- 9 cm in the female athletes and 22 +/- 8 cm in the male athletes. The normalized knee separation distance was 51% +/- 19% in the female athletes and 51% +/- 15% in the male athletes. After training, statistically significant increases were found in the female athletes in the knee separation distance on landing (29 +/- 8 cm, P < .0001) and in the normalized knee separation distance (68% +/- 18%, P < .0001). The trained female athletes had significantly greater knee separation distance and normalized knee separation distance than did the males (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of untrained female and male athletes demonstrated a valgus alignment appearance on the video test. After neuromuscular training, female athletes had improved knee separation distances and a more neutral lower limb alignment on landing and takeoff.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Echocardiographic characteristics in adolescent junior male athletes of different sport events.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different sport activities on cardiac adaptation. Echocardiographic data of 137 athletes and 21 non-athletes were measured and compared in two age groups 15-16 and 17-18 years of age. Athletes belonged into three groups according to their sports activity (endurance events, power athletes, ball game players). The observed variables were related to body size by indices in which the exponents of the numerator and the denominator were matched. Left ventricular hypertrophy was manifest in all athletic groups. Power athletes had the largest mean left ventricular wall thickness (LVWTd) in both age groups. In the older age group differences between the athletic groups were smaller, but the endurance and power athletes had significantly higher wall thickness. Left ventricular internal diameter (LVIDd) was the largest in the endurance athletes, while mean relative muscle mass (LVMM) was the largest in the power athletes. LVMM of the older endurance athletes was significantly larger. Muscular quotient (MQ) was the highest in the endurance athletes; in the 17-18-year group there was no inter-event difference. Bradycardia was most manifest in the endurance athletes and ball game players, power athletes had higher resting heart rates than non-athletic subjects. It can be inferred that endurance training induces firstly an enlargement of the left ventricle what is then followed by an increase of muscle mass. In the studied functional and regulatory parameters no difference was found between the athletic and non-athletic groups.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1998

Organizational commitment among intercollegiate head athletic trainers: examining our work environment.

OBJECTIVE: To 1) examine the commitment of head athletic trainers to their intercollegiate work environments, 2) develop a model that better reflects the head athletic trainer's daily work setting, and 3) use new techniques to describe the various ways head athletic trainers demonstrate commitment to their organizations. DESIGN AND SETTING: Organizational commitment (OC) surveys were sent to 461 head athletic trainers identified for the sample. A response rate of 71.5% (330/461) was obtained from the mail survey. SUBJECTS: A proportional random sample of head athletic trainers was taken from a population identified in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) directory of intercollegiate athletics as Division I, II, and III institutions. MEASUREMENTS: Returned OC surveys were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics for all demographic and OC variables. Exploratory cluster analysis was performed to examine naturally clustering groups. RESULTS: Exploratory cluster analysis revealed five naturally clustering groups that represent the head athletic trainers' patterns of commitment across the specific organizational targets. Paired t tests indicated that the continuance commitment scores were significantly lower than the affective and normative scores across the sample. Analysis of variance tests indicated significant differences for specific commitment dimensions based on gender and NCAA division demographics. Beyond that, the five-cluster solution revealed no particular demographic characteristics that predisposed individuals to specific clusters. CONCLUSIONS: THE FINDINGS REINFORCE A CENTRAL THEME IN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC TRAINING: that student-athletes and student athletic trainers are the primary focus of the head athletic trainers' commitment. Positive attachment and obligation directed toward student-athletes and student athletic trainers link the five clusters. Commitment patterns in areas other than student-athletes and student athletic trainers define the cluster membership or head athletic trainer "type" presented in this study. In addition, specific commitment differences based on gender and NCAA division may warrant further investigation.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence of jumper's knee among elite athletes from different sports: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of jumper's knee across different sports has not been examined, and it is not known if there is a gender difference. Data from surgical case series indicate that there may be a high prevalence in sports with high speed and power demands. HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of jumper's knee in different sports among female and male athletes and to correlate the prevalence to the loading characteristics of the extensor mechanism in these sports. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: The authors examined approximately 50 Norwegian male and female athletes at the national elite level from each of the following 9 sports: athletics (male athletes: high jump, 100- and 200-m sprint), basketball (male athletes), ice hockey (male athletes), volleyball (male athletes), orienteering (male athletes), road cycling (male athletes), soccer (male and female athletes), team handball (male and female athletes), and wrestling (male athletes). The examination included an interview on individual characteristics (weight, age, height, and training background), a clinical examination, and self-recorded Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment score from 0 (worst) to 100 (best). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of current jumper's knee was 14.2% (87 of 613 athletes), with a significant difference between sports with different performance characteristics (range, 0%-45%). In addition, 51 athletes (8%) reported previous symptoms. The prevalence of current symptoms was highest in volleyball (44.6%+/-6.6%) and basketball (31.9%+/-6.8%), whereas there were no cases in cycling or orienteering. The prevalence of current jumper's knee was lower among women (5.6%+/-2.2%) compared with men (13.5%+/-3.0%; chi2 test, P=.042). The duration of symptoms among athletes with current jumper's knee (n=87) was 32+/-25 (standard deviation) months, with a Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment score of 64+/-19. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of jumper's knee is high in sports characterized by high demands on speed and power for the leg extensors. The symptoms are often serious, resulting in long-standing impairment of athletic performance.

Athletic Injuries↗
PubMed1997

Thermoregulatory responses of paraplegic and able-bodied athletes at rest and during prolonged upper body exercise and passive recovery.

The thermoregulatory responses of ten paraplegic (PA; T3/4-L4) and nine able-bodied (AB) upper body trained athletes were examined at rest and during prolonged arm-cranking exercise and passive recovery. Exercise was performed for 90 min at 80% peak heart rate, and at 21.5 (1.7) degrees C and 47.0 (7.8)% relative humidity on a Monark cycle ergometer (Ergomedic 814E) adapted for arm exercise. Mean peak oxygen uptake values for the PA and AB athlete groups were 2.12 (0.41) min(-1) and 3.19 (0.38) l x min(-1), respectively (P<0.05). At rest, there was no difference in aural temperature between groups [36.2 (0.4) degrees C for both groups]. However, upper body skin temperatures for the PA athletes were approximately 1.0 degrees C warmer than for the AB athletes, whereas lower body skin temperatures were cooler than those for the AB athletes (1.3 degrees C and 2.7 degrees C for the thigh and calf, respectively). Upper and lower body skin temperatures for the AB athletes were similar. During exercise, blood lactate peaked after 15 min of exercise for both groups [3.33 (1.26) mmol x l(-1) and 4.30 (1.03) mmol x l(-1) for the PA and AB athletes, respectively, P<0.05] and decreased throughout the remainder of the exercise period. Aural temperature increased by 0.7 (0.5) degrees C and 0.6 (0.4) degrees C for the AB and PA athletes, respectively. Calf skin temperature for the PA athletes increased during exercise by 1.4 (2.8) degrees C (P<0.05), whereas a decrease of 0.8 (2.0) degrees C (P<0.05) was observed for the AB athletes. During the first 20 min of recovery from exercise, the calf skin temperature of the AB athletes decreased further [-2.6 (1.3) degrees C; P<0.05]. Weight losses and changes in plasma volume were similar for both groups [0.7 (0.5) kg and 0.7 (0.4) kg; 5.4 (4.9)% and 9.7 (6.2)% for the PA and AB athletes, respectively]. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that the PA athletes exhibit different thermoregulatory responses at rest and during exercise and passive recovery to those of upper body trained AB athletes. Despite this, during 90 min of arm-crank exercise in a cool environment, the PA athletes appeared to be at no greater thermal risk than the AB athletes.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Self-reported attitudes of elite athletes towards doping: differences between type of sport.

Although athletes' beliefs and values are known to influence whether or not an athlete will use banned drugs, little is known about the athletes' beliefs and attitudes in different sports. The aim of this study was to clarify the beliefs and attitudes of elite athletes towards banned substances and methods in sports. A total of 446 athletes (response rate 90.3 %; 446/494) financially supported by the National Finnish Olympic Committee completed a structured questionnaire during their national team camps in 2002. More than 90 % of the athletes reported to believe that banned substances and methods have performance enhancing effects, and 30 % reported that they personally know an athlete who uses banned substances. Of the male athletes 35 %, and 23 % of females reported they personally know an athlete using banned substances. A total of 15 % of the athletes reported that they had been offered banned substances: 21 % of the speed and power athletes, 14 % of the team sport athletes and of the athletes in motor skills demanding events, and 10 % of the endurance athletes. Stimulants were the most often offered substance group (to 7 % of all the athletes) followed by anabolic steroids (4 %). Subjects who regarded doping as a minor health risk seemed to be more often associated with doping users than those regarding doping as a significant health risk. Athletes in different sports have a different approach to doping. Risk of doping appears to be highest in speed and power sports and lowest in motor skills demanding sports. Males are at higher risk than females. Controlling doping only by tests is not sufficient. A profound change in the attitudes is needed, which should be monitored repeatedly.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Myocardial sympathetic innervation in the athlete's sinus bradycardia: is there selective inferior myocardial wall denervation?

BACKGROUND: Sinus bradycardia in trained athletes is predominantly a manifestation of increased vagal tone, but it is not known whether an alteration in the cardiac sympathetic system can contribute to blunted chronotropic response. This study assessed the integrity of the sympathetic system in trained athletes with sinus bradycardia by means of the iodine-123-metaiodobenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG) procedure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Fourteen athletes with sinus bradycardia and 8 athletes with a normal heart rate were explored by means of planar and single photon emission computed tomography MIBG studies. The heart/mediastinum ratio, regional myocardial distribution, and percent of regional myocardial MIBG uptake were evaluated. The heart/mediastinum ratio in athletes with sinus bradycardia was 1.87+/-0.10, and in athletes with a normal heart rate, the heart/mediastinum ratio was 1.86+/-0.16 (P = not significant). In athletes with sinus bradycardia, the regional distribution of MIBG showed an inferior and apical uptake defect in 8 athletes, an inferior, apical, and septal defect in 3 athletes, an inferior defect in 1 athlete, and normal distribution in 2 athletes (14%). In athletes with a normal heart rate, the regional distribution of MIBG showed an apical uptake defect in 3 athletes and normal distribution in 5 athletes (63%). The percent of regional MIBG uptake in the inferior region was significantly reduced in athletes with sinus bradycardia (44%+/-13% vs. 72%+/-11%, P<.01). CONCLUSION: These results show severely reduced myocardial MIBG distribution in the inferior region in athletes with sinus bradycardia, suggesting selective inferior myocardial wall sympathetic denervation, which may be related to increased vagal tone.

3-Iodobenzylguanidine↗
PubMed2003

Inspiratory stridor in elite athletes.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Diagnosis and medical intervention for exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) are often based on self-reported symptoms, without spirometric confirmation. Inspiratory stridor (IS), a symptom of vocal cord dysfunction (VCD), is frequently mistaken for EIB wheeze. Athletes with exercise IS that spontaneously resolves on activity cessation are suspect for VCD and may not have EIB. This study estimated IS prevalence in elite athletes and determined its relationship to EIB. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Three hundred seventy athletes (174 female and 196 male subjects) provided a medical history, and underwent spirometry before and after exercise challenge. Exercise challenges were conducted in cold, dry ambient conditions. EIB positive (EIB +) was defined as a > or = 10% postexercise fall in FEV(1). Athletes were monitored for IS during exercise; 78.4% of the athletes in this study (n = 290) were tested on multiple occasions. RESULTS: EIB was identified in 30% of 370 athletes tested (58 female and 53 male subjects). IS was observed in 5.1% (18 female and 1 male subjects) during exercise and spontaneously resolved in these subjects within 5 min after exercise cessation. Ten IS-positive (IS +) athletes (52.6%) were EIB +, and 8 of these athletes had a previous EIB diagnosis; however, beta(2)-agonist treatment resolved IS in only 2 subjects. Eight of nine IS +/EIB-negative (EIB -) athletes had a previous EIB diagnosis; seven subjects received beta(2)-agonist treatment with no IS resolution. Resting spirometric measurements did not distinguish IS, but postexercise mid-flow (FEF(50)/FIF(50)) ratio > 1.5 was more frequent (33%, p < 0.05) among IS + athletes. The FEF(50)/FIF(50) ratio was higher for IS +/EIB + athletes than for IS -/EIB + athletes (1.97 +/- 1.69 vs 0.81 +/- 0.39, p < 0.05). The postexercise fall in FVC was greater (p < 0.05) for IS +/EIB - athletes (9.2 +/- 5.0%) than for IS-negative (IS -) /EIB - athletes (5.3 +/- 4.3%). No difference in postexercise FEV(1) was identified between IS + and IS - athletes (within EIB + or EIB - groups). CONCLUSIONS: Five percent of athletes were IS +, with EIB comorbidity observed in 53% of these subjects. Misdiagnosis of IS as EIB is common. The lack of a beta(2)-agonist response in combination with postexercise serial spirometry can be useful in excluding solitary IS and confirming EIB diagnosis.

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