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PubMed1985

Lower prevalence of breast cancer and cancers of the reproductive system among former college athletes compared to non-athletes.

The prevalence (lifetime occurrence) rate of cancers of the reproductive system (uterus, ovary, cervix and vagina) and breast cancer was determined for 5,398 living alumnae, 2,622 of whom were former college athletes and 2,776 non-athletes, from data on medical and reproductive history, athletic training and diet. The former athletes had a significantly lower risk of cancer of the breast and reproductive system than did the non-athletes. The relative risk (RR), non-athletes/athletes, for cancers of the reproductive system was 2.53. 95% confidence limits (CL) (1.17, 5.47). The RR for breast cancer was 1.86, 95% CL (1.00, 3.47). The analysis controlled for potential confounding factors including age, family history of cancer, age of menarche, number of pregnancies, use of oral contraceptives, use of oestrogen in the menopausal period, smoking, and leanness. Of the college athletes, 82.4% had been on pre-college teams compared to 24.9% of the college non-athletes. We conclude that long term athletic training may lower the risk of breast cancer and cancers of the reproductive system.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Breast cancer among former college athletes compared to non-athletes: a 15-year follow-up.

A growing body of evidence indicates that physical activity is protective against breast cancer. In 1996-97, we conducted a 15-year follow-up of 5398 college alumnae comprised of former college athletes with their non-athletic classmates. Participants completed a detailed mailed questionnaire on their health history from 1981-82 to the present. Excluding women who had died and non-deliverable questionnaires, 84.7% (n = 3940) of the participants in our earlier study responded to the questionnaire; the response rate for former athletes was 86.6% (n = 1945), for non-athletes, 83.0% (n = 1995). Results confirmed our earlier findings. Based on self-reports, former college athletes had a significantly lower risk of breast cancer than the non-athletes. The OR for the 15-year incidence of breast cancer is 0.605 with 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.438-0.835); the 15-year incident breast cancers were 64 among the athletes and 111 among the non-athletes. Among women under 45 the protective effect of physical activity on the risk of breast cancer is considerably greater; odds ratio (OR) = 0.164, 95% CI (0.042-0.636). Athletic activity during the college and pre-college years is protective against breast cancer throughout the life span, and more markedly among women under 45. These results confirm our earlier findings and the findings of other investigators.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Blood tests in tired elite athletes: expectations of athletes, coaches and sport science/sports medicine staff.

BACKGROUND: The issue of the expectations of elite athletes, their coaches and non-medically qualified athlete support staff of consultations with sports physicians has not been previously dealt with in the sports medicine literature. As fulfillment of expectations of the content of a consultation may influence patient's satisfaction and clinical outcome, it is important to assess the expectations of athletes and, most importantly, coaches. OBJECTIVE: To assess the expectations and beliefs about fatigue, particularly in relation to blood tests, of athletes, their coaches and support staff in the specific context of tiredness of <7 days' duration. SUBJECTS: 28 senior sports science or non-medically qualified sports medicine staff, 22 elite coaches and 62 elite athletes from the Australian Institute of Sport were included in this study. METHODS: A single questionnaire. RESULTS: The expectation for a blood test at the initial consultation for short-term fatigue was particularly high among athletes (81%) and coaches (91%). This expectation increased in athletes if their performance was worsening. All groups unanimously suggested that a blood test be performed in cases of more prolonged fatigue. Increase in total training load was perceived to be the most important cause of fatigue, but issues relating to sleep were also thought to be highly relevant. All groups suggested that blood tests provide some degree of reassurance, and all groups suggested that the most important blood tests that might be performed related to exclusion of iron deficiency, anaemia and infection. CONCLUSION: Athletes and their coaches generally expect that blood tests will be performed even when fatigue has been present for <1 week. This is at odds with currently available evidence of the diagnostic utility of these tests. Despite the current evidence base, individual factors in the athletes, coaches and doctors need to be considered when deciding on whether such testing has to be performed.

Attitude↗
PubMed2005

Use of the preparticipation physical exam in screening for the female athlete triad among high school athletes.

The female athlete triad comprises 3 individual but interrelated conditions associated with athletic training: disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis. Each condition is of medical concern, but when found within the triad, they can have serious medical consequences. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of preparticipation history and physical forms in high school athletic programs to screen for the triad, and to determine the prevalence of educational programs related to the female athlete triad. Results suggest that a majority of high school athletic programs are not adequately screening girls for the components of the triad, and schools lack educational programs targeting athletes and coaches. School nurses have the potential to play a vital role in the prevention and early identification of the triad through a preparticipation physical exam that specifically screens female athletes and in the implementation of educational programs for athletes and coaches regarding the disorders of the female athlete triad.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

[Echocardiographic studies on athletes of various sport-types and non-athletic persons (author's transl)].

The results of echocardiographic studies on 90 athletes representing various sport-types and 18 non-athletic persons are presented. The intracardiac diameter measured by echocardiography was proportional to the heart volume determined radiologically. The thickness of the septum and posterior heart wall compared to the internal heart diameter was greater in athletes with static exercise than in endurance athletes. This must be interpreted as a tendency to concentric hypertrophy. In endurance athletes this relationship tended to be less than in non-athletic persons. In addition stroke volume and cardiac output at rest was higher in endurance athletes than in athletes with static exercise and non-athletic persons. At rest no variations in parameters of heart muscle contractility related to heart size or sport-type could be detected.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pulmonary function of Indian athletes and sportsmen: comparison with American athletes.

Studies were conducted to evaluate pulmonary functions in Indian athletes and sportsmen associated with different athletic events and games. It was found that swimmers were having significantly higher vital capacity (VC) and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) values than all other athletic groups studied. Results have been discussed keeping in view the physiological, functional and structural demands in various events. Pulmonary function values of Indian athletes have also been compared with American athletes of standardized height for a better appraisal of athletic potentiality in our athletes. The importance of athletic training from childhood have been ascribed to be the reason for superior lung volumes and capacities in US athletes.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Perceptions of athletic injuries by athletes, coaches, and medical professionals.

35 athletes, their coaches, and medical professionals independently assessed the disruption, seriousness, and short-term effects of the athletes' athletic injuries. Athletes underestimated the disruption and short-term effects of the injury when compared to medical professionals. 25 lower level athletes and those with no previous serious athletic injury overestimated the short-term effects of their injuries. Coaches overestimated the disrupting effects of the injury for 10 higher level athletes and 25 athletes with no previous injury.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2003

Drug testing athletes to prevent substance abuse: background and pilot study results of the SATURN (Student Athlete Testing Using Random Notification) study.

PURPOSE: To assess the deterrent effect of mandatory, random drug testing among high school (HS) athletes in a controlled setting. METHODS: Two high schools, one with mandatory drug testing (DT) consent before sports participation, and a control school (C), without DT, were assessed during the 1999-2000 school year. Athletes (A) and nonathletes (NA) in each school completed confidential (A) or anonymous (NA) questionnaires developed for this study, respectively, at the beginning and end of the school year. Positive alcohol or drug tests required parent notification and mandatory counseling without team or school suspension. Thirty percent of the DT athletes were tested. Data were analyzed using the end of the school year measure, adjusted for the initial questionnaire results. Demographics of the athlete sample revealed that mean age was 15.5 years with 81.5% white, 9.6% Hispanic, 4.5% Asian, 2.6% American Indian/Native Alaskan, 1.3% African-American, and 1.3% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. RESULTS: A (n = 276) and NA (n = 507) were assessed at the beginning (baseline) and at the end of the school year (A, n = 159; NA, n = 338). The past 30-day index of illicit drugs (4-fold difference) and athletic enhancing substances (3-fold difference) were lower (p < .05) among DT athletes at follow-up without difference in alcohol use. However, most drug use risk factors, including norms of use, belief in lower risk of drugs, and poorer attitudes toward the school, increased among DT athletes (p < .05). Although a reduction in the illicit drug use index was present among nonathletes at the DT school, at the end of the school year, it did not achieve statistical significance (p < .10). CONCLUSIONS: Random DT may have reduced substance use among athletes. However, worsening of risk factors and small sample size suggests caution to this drug prevention approach. A larger long-term study to confirm these findings is necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Food habits and sport activity during adolescence: differences between athletic and non-athletic teenagers in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: To describe food habits and dietary intakes of athletic and non-athletic adolescents in Switzerland. SETTING: College, high schools and professional centers in the Swiss canton of Vaud. METHOD: A total of 3,540 subjects aged 9-19 y answered a self-reported anonymous questionnaire to assess lifestyles, physical plus sports activity and food habits. Within this sample, a subgroup of 246 subjects aged 11-15 also participated in an in-depth ancillary study including a 3 day dietary record completed by an interview with a dietician. RESULTS: More boys than girls reported engaging in regular sports activities (P<0.001). Adolescent food habits are quite traditional: up to 15 y, most of the respondents have a breakfast and eat at least two hot meals a day, the percentages decreasing thereafter. Snacking is widespread among adolescents (60-80% in the morning, 80-90% in the afternoon). Food habits among athletic adolescents are healthier and also are perceived as such in a higher proportion. Among athletic adolescents, consumption frequency is higher for dairy products and ready to eat (RTE) cereals, for fruit, fruit juices and salad (P<0.05 at least). Thus the athletic adolescent's food brings more micronutrients than the diet of their non-athletic counterparts. Within the subgroup (ancillary study), mean energy intake corresponds to requirements for age/gender group. CONCLUSIONS: Athletic adolescents display healthier food habits than non-athletic adolescents: this result supports the idea that healthy behavior tends to cluster and suggests that prevention programs among this age group should target simultaneously both sports activity and food habits.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Resting ECG in athletic and non-athletic adolescent boys: correlations with heart volume and cardiorespiratory fitness.

Resting ECG was recorded in 59 endurance trained athletic and 81 non-athletic boys aged 10-17 years and the findings were correlated with heart volume and cardiorespiratory fitness. The two groups were physically similar, but the athletes had significantly higher maximal oxygen uptake and the 15-17-year-old athletes had larger heart volumes. ECG findings were rather similar in both groups, the major differences being a lower heart rate in the athletes than in the controls (71 vs 82 beats/min) and a longer PQ interval (0.151 vs. 0.140 s) and a greater sum of SV2 and RV4 (59 vs. 50 mm) in the 15-17-year-old athletes. In the controls no correlation existed between precordial voltage criteria for ventricular hypertrophy and heart volume or between heart volume and cardiorespiratory fitness. Contrary to this, in the athletes both SV2 + RV5 and SV2 + RV4 correlated significantly (r about 0.40) with relative heart volume, and relative heart volume with both maximal oxygen uptake per kg (r = 0.41) and calculated work at heart rate 170 beats/min expressed per kg (r = 0.61). Our findings seem to indicate that as a consequence of endurance training the high level of cardiorespiratory fitness becomes related to a large heart volume. It is obvious that ECG changes due to relative vagal dominance develop earlier in the adolescent athletes than those attributable to anatomical changes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Lipidemic profile of athletes and non-athletes with similar body fat.

Although chronic exercise is generally believed to improve the lipidemic profile, it is not clear whether this is due to exercise training or to other determinants such as the usually low body fat of athletes. The aim of the present study was to compare the lipidemic profile of young lean athletes and non-athletes matched for percentage body fat. Fourteen endurance athletes and fourteen sedentary men participated in the study. Participants provided two blood samples at the beginning and end of a 7-d period, during which they recorded physical activity and food intake. Athletes had significantly higher energy expenditure and energy intake but not significantly different macronutrient composition of their diet from non-athletes. No significant differences were found in serum triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations between groups. These data suggest that athletes and non-athletes with similar body fat do not differ in their lipidemic profiles.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2000

Painkilling drugs in collegiate athletics: knowledge, attitudes, and use of student athletes.

This study was designed to examine the attitudes of student athletes toward the use of painkilling drugs. A total of 563 student athletes at two Division One NCAA universities were surveyed in this study. Twenty-nine percent of the student athletes (n = 165) reported that they felt there is nothing wrong with using painkilling drugs on the day of competition (when injured) to cope with pain. These student athletes reported that they would use painkilling drugs to mask injury in order to continue to participate in their sport. Student athletes' perceptions of societal norms and expectations related to competition, and the degree of control student athletes perceive that they have when deciding to use painkillers, may be important determinants governing the extent to which they may be at risk for abusing these substances. Research on planned behavior and reasoned action against suggests that salient beliefs affect intentions and subsequent behaviors, either through attitudes or subjective norms, or the degree of (perceived) control that an individual feels he/she has over the behavior [1, 2]. This theoretical model was used as a guiding framework for analyzing the attitudes of college athletes toward painkilling drugs. Recommendations are included in this article for coaches, educators, team physicians, team trainers, and administrators who are concerned about controlling the use and abuse of painkilling drugs by student athletes.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2002

The Development of Expert Male National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Certified Athletic Trainers.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the major influences in the development of expert male National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I certified athletic trainers. DESIGN AND SETTING: The participants were individually interviewed, and the data were transcribed and coded. SUBJECTS: Seven male NCAA Division I certified athletic trainers, who averaged 29 years of experience in the profession and 20 years at the Division I level. RESULTS: We found 3 higher-order categories that explained the development of the certified athletic trainers and labeled these meaningful experiences, personal attributes, and mentoring. The growth and development of the athletic trainers were influenced by a variety of meaningful experiences that began during their time as students and continued throughout their careers. These experiences involved dealing with challenging job conditions, educational conditions, and attempts to promote and improve the profession. The personal attributes category encompassed the importance of a caring and service-oriented attitude, building relationships with athletes, and maintaining strong bonds within their own families. Mentoring of these individuals occurred both inside and outside the athletic training profession. CONCLUSION: We provide a unique view of the development of athletic trainers that should be of interest to those in the field, regardless of years of experience.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1992

Eating disorders among adolescent female athletes: influence of athletic participation and sport team membership.

Female athletes have been identified as a potential risk group for the development of eating disorders. Although adolescents in general are particularly vulnerable to the onset of eating disorders, little research has examined the problem among high school female athletes. The present study explored this population by comparing female athletes and nonathletes in terms of (a) behavioral and psychological traits associated with eating disorders and (b) use of pathogenic weight control techniques (laxatives, vomiting, fasting, and diet aids). Sport-by-sport comparisons were also investigated to determine if athletes in specific sports were more at risk. Moreover, in an attempt to link athletic participation and eating disordered behavior, the gender-role orientation of athletes was examined. Results indicated that (a) athletes were more likely than nonathletes to possess certain behavioral and psychological correlates of eating disorders, (b) there were few differences among the various sport teams, and (c) gender-role orientation was generally not a critical variable. Although group comparisons yielded limited significant differences, athletes nevertheless reported traits associated with eating disorders as well as use of pathogenic weight control techniques. The unique contributions of the sport context and coaching practices exacerbating disordered eating are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Athletic trainers' attitudes and judgments of injured athletes' rehabilitation adherence.

Certified athletic trainers (ATCs) in District 2 (n=187) of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) were asked to complete a questionnaire that assessed the attitudes and judgments of ATCs concerning numerous factors presumed to influence sport injury rehabilitation. Gender and experience differences in ATCs' attitudes and judgments about rehabilitation adherence were examined. Successful and unsuccessful adherence strategies also were reported. The questionnaire consisted of 60 statements that were categorized into seven scales: athletic trainer's influence, environmental influences, athlete's personality, pain tolerance, selfmotivation, goals and incentives, and significant others. There were no significant differences for either gender or experience of ATCs on any of the seven scales. An analysis of questionnaire item responses revealed the following as factors ATCs deemed important to injury rehabilitation: a) good rapport and communication between the ATC and the injured athlete, b) explanation of the injury and rehabilitation regimen, c) convenience and accessibility of the rehabilitation facility, d) rehabilitation sessions planned around the athletes' busy schedules, e) athletes' beliefs that the program is worth pursuing, f) personal supervision and regular monitoring, g) need for injured athletes to see immediate results, and h) support from significant others. ATCs reported education, goal setting, encouragement, monitoring progress, and support systems as successful strategies. Threats and rehabilitation without monitoring were reported as unsuccessful strategies.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1984

Operative goals of intercollegiate athletics: perceptions of athletic administrators.

Ninety intercollegiate athletic administrators from across Canada participated in the study which investigated their perceptions of the operative goals of intercollegiate athletics. The operative goals included in the study were 1) Entertainment, 2) National Sport Development, 3) Financial, 4) Transmission of Culture, 5) Career Opportunities, 6) Public Relations, 7) Athlete's Personal Growth, 8) Prestige, and 9) Achieved Excellence. The rankings of these nine objectives were analyzed by subgroups based on sex of the respondents, size of the university, and the conference membership. In addition, the relationships between respondents' ratings of these objectives, and their attitudes toward athletic scholarships, recruitment practices and eligibility were also examined. The results showed that the various subgroups of athletic administrators were relatively homogeneous in ranking Transmission of Culture, Athlete's Personal Growth, Public Relations, and Prestige as the most important set of operative goals. It was also found that the administrators from the Non-central region (Maritime and Western Provinces) were more in favor of athletic scholarships than the administrators from the Central region (Ontario and Quebec). Also, higher ratings of Public Relations, Prestige, Entertainment, and Financial Objectives were associated with stronger support for athletic scholarships, and unrestrained recruitment. It was noted that administrators' goal orientations, while congruent with those of students from selected universities, were contrary to the prescriptions and proscriptions of prominent educators.

Administrative Personnel↗
PubMed1980

Cardiac output and total peripheral resistance in athletes and in non-athletes at rest.

Cardiac output (CO), blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were estimated in 13 non-athletes, in 10 highly trained athletes and in 8 lower-class athletes at rest. HR and BP were found to be lower in both trained groups than in the controls. CO was lower in the top athletes, while it proved to be higher in the lower-class athletes. Total peripheral resistance (TPR) was higher in the top athletes while it was found to be reduced in the lower-class athletes than in the controls. These results indicate that in the maintanance of resting blood pressure level in the physically trained subjects alpha adrenergic mechanisms predominate whereas the share of beta influences is lower, however, this shift is observed only in the highly trained, top-rank endurance athletes.

Cardiac Output↗
PubMed1995

Sociodemographic analysis of drug use among adolescent athletes: observations-perceptions of athletic directors-coaches.

Through observations and perceptions of athletic directors/coaches, this study (1) broadly examined substance abuse of adolescent (high school) student-athletes; (2) made comparisons of substance abuse between student-athletes and students comprising the general student body; and (3) made selected comparisons of substance abuse between the regional data of this study and that of a national survey of high school coaches done by George H. Gallup International Institute (1991). Some comparisons were also made with the findings of a survey of drug use patterns among a sample of 10,883 public school students conducted by the Alcohol and Drug Defense (ADD) Section, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (1991; 1989; 1987a, 1987b) and a survey of drug use patterns among 2,685 high school student-athletes (Shields, 1988). The drug abuse problem for student-athletes was observed-perceived to be of lesser magnitude regionally than nationally and to be less for student-athletes with their peers in the general student body. In virtually every comparison of student-athletes with their peers in the general student body, the drug problem was seen to be less for student-athletes, and in some instances, dramatically less.

Adolescent↗