Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “ATHLETICS”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 847 records · Page 47Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Prevalence of eating disorders in elite female athletes.

This study examined the prevalence of eating disorders (ED) and the possible difference between ED symptoms and true ED by using questionnaires as compared with an interview and clinical evaluation in Norwegian elite female athletes (n = 522) from 35 sports and nonathletic controls (n = 448). In addition to the 117 athletes classified as "at risk" to develop ED, 90 subjects were randomly chosen, comprising 30 athletic controls, 30 at-risk nonathletes, and 30 nonathletic controls. All were interviewed and clinically examined. A significantly higher number of athletes (18%) than controls (5%) were found to actually suffer from ED, particularly athletes competing in sports in which leanness or a specific weight were considered important. When results from the screening study were compared to those from the interviews and clinical examinations, a significant underreporting of ED among athletes was demonstrated. The athletes also reported the use of other pathogenic methods in the screening study compared to what they reported in the interview. Nonathletes more correctly reported the use of pathogenic methods but overreported the prevalence of ED. Thus the issue of using questionnaires alone or in combination with personal interview/clinical examination merits further investigation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Energy balance and luteal phase progesterone levels in elite adolescent aesthetic athletes.

Menstrual abnormalities are associated with negative energy balance and reduced energy expenditure (REE). To examine this relationship in elite adolescent aesthetic athletes, 3 groups of females (aged 15-18 years) were studied: 10 oligo/amenorrheic athletes (OA), 11 eumenorrheic athletes (EA), and 8 non-athlete controls (C). Components of energy balance, body composition, dietary restraint, pubertal maturation, and luteal phase salivary progesterone were assessed in all groups. Both groups of athletes had a later age of menarche and lower pubertal development score compared to the non-athletes (p < or = .05). With the exception of salivary progesterone (ng/ml; OA = 0. 15 +/- 0.01 <EA = 0.29 +/- 0.1 and C = 0.30 +/- 0.13, p = .007), there were no differences between the athlete groups. Energy balance (kcal/d) in the OA group was lower (-290 +/- 677) compared to eitherEA (-5 +/- 461) or C ( 179 +/- 592) but did not reach significance (p =.24). Dietary energy intake and absolute REE (kcal/d) were not different among groups, despite detectable differences in reproductive status, and thus could not be attributed to differences in energy balance or REE.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Policies on screening female athletes for iron deficiency in NCAA division I-A institutions.

Iron deficiency is the most prevalent nutritional deficiency in the United States. This condition has been reported to affect 60% of female athletes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasize screening for anemia in women of childbearing age. The purpose of this study was to determine the number of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I-A schools that implement screening for iron deficiency in female athletes as well as the screening policies for those who do. A link to an online survey was sent to 94 NCAA Division I-A schools to determine current practices concerning screening and treating female athletes for iron deficiency. There was a 58% response rate. Frequencies for each response were computed. Forty-three percent of responding institutions report screening female athletes for iron deficiency. This study suggests that screening for iron deficiency in female athletes at NCAA Division I-A schools is not a routine procedure and, for those who do screen, variability exists in the criteria for diagnosis, as well as in treatment protocols. Standard protocols for assessment and treatment of iron deficiency in female athletes need to be developed and implemented.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

A study of changes in the spine in weight lifters and other athletes.

The present study was undertaken in sportsmen of those groups of sports activities where weight training exercises constitute a major part of the training. Two groups consisting of 25 weight-lifters and 25 track and field athletes were studied to find out the effect of sports activities and lifting weights on the spine. 84% weight-lifters and 72% track and field athletes suffered from varying abnormalities. Incidence of backache in 25 weight-lifters was 40% and in 25 track and field athletes 48%. Radiological changes were more common in weight-lifters (84%) than in athletes (72%). Reduction in lumbar lordosis was found in three cases (12%) in both the groups. Obtuse angle deformity of vertebral margins was found in 11 cases (44%) amongst weight-lifters and six cases (24%) amongst athletes. Osteophytic formation was found in six cases (24%) in weight-lifters and four cases (16%) in athletes. Schmorl's node were noticed in five cases (20%) amongst weight-lifters and seven cases (28%) amongst athletes. The incidences of spondylosis and Schmorl's node were found only in those cases who had been doing weight training exercises for more than four years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Ultrasound assessment of spleen size in collegiate athletes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine normal spleen dimensions in a healthy collegiate athletic population. METHODS: 631 Division I collegiate athletes from one university participated in the study. During pre-participation examinations, demographic data collected were collected from volunteer athletes including sex, race, measurement of height and weight, and age. Subjects also completed a medical history form to determine any history of mononucleosis infection, platelet disorder, sickle cell disease (or trait), thalassaemia, or recent viral symptoms. Subjects then underwent a limited abdominal ultrasound examination, where splenic length and width were recorded. RESULTS: Mean (SD) splenic length was 10.65 (1.55) cm and width, 5.16 (1.21) cm. Men had larger spleens than women (p<0.001). White subjects had larger spleens than African-American subjects (p<0.001). A previous history of infectious mononucleosis or the presence of recent cold symptoms had no significant affect on spleen size. In more than 7% of athletes, baseline spleen size met current criteria for splenomegaly. CONCLUSIONS: There is a wide range of normal spleen size among collegiate athletes. Average spleen size was larger in men and white athletes than in women and black athletes. A single ultrasound examination for determination of splenomegaly is of limited value in this population.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Reversal in fatigued athletes of a defect in interferon gamma secretion after administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue and impaired performance in athletes is well recognised and has been loosely linked to "overtraining". Reduced concentration of IgA in the saliva and increased shedding of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) have been associated with intense training in elite athletes. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether athletes presenting with fatigue and impaired performance had an immune defect relevant to defective containment of EBV infection, and whether a probiotic preparation (Lactobacillus acidophilus) shown to enhance mucosal immunity in animal models could reverse any detected abnormality. RESULTS: The fatigued athletes had clinical characteristics consistent with re-activation of EBV infection and significantly (p = 0.02) less secretion of interferon (IFN) gamma from blood CD4 positive T cells. After one month of daily capsules containing 2 x 10(10) colony forming units of L acidophilus, secretion of IFNgamma from T cells had increased significantly (p = 0.01) to levels found in healthy control athletes. A significant (p = 0.03) increase in salivary IFNgamma concentrations in healthy control athletes after the one month course of L acidophilus demonstrated in man the capacity for this probiotic to enhance the mucosal IFNgamma concentration. CONCLUSION: This is the first evidence of a T cell defect in fatigued athletes, and of its reversal following probiotic therapy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Cardiac assessment of veteran endurance athletes: a 12 year follow up study.

OBJECTIVES: Sustained aerobic dynamic exercise is beneficial in preventing cardiovascular disease. The effect of lifelong endurance exercise on cardiac structure and function is less well documented, however. A 12 year follow up of 20 veteran athletes was performed, as longitudinal studies in such cohorts are rare. METHODS: Routine echocardiography was repeated as was resting, exercise, and 24 hour electrocardiography. RESULTS: Nineteen returned for screening. Mean (SD) age was 67 (6.2) years (range 56-83). Two individuals had had permanent pacemakers implanted (one for symptomatic atrial fibrillation with complete heart block, the other for asystole lasting up to 15 seconds). Only two athletes had asystolic pauses in excess of two seconds compared with seven athletes in 1985. Of these seven, five had no asystole on follow up. Two of these five had reduced their average running distance by about 15-20 miles a week. One athlete sustained an acute myocardial infarction during a competitive race in 1988. Three athletes had undergone coronary arteriography during the 12 years of follow up but none had obstructive coronary artery disease. Ten of 19 (53%) had echo evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy in 1997 but only two (11%) had left ventricular dilatation. Ten athletes had ventricular couplets on follow up compared with only two in 1985. CONCLUSIONS: Although the benefits of moderate regular exercise are undisputed, high intensity lifelong endurance exercise may be associated with altered cardiac structure and function. These adaptations to more extreme forms of exercise merit caution in the interpretation of standard cardiac investigations in the older athletic population. On rare occasions, these changes may be deleterious.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Pre- and posttranslational upregulation of muscle-specific glycogen synthase in athletes.

Expression of muscle-specific glycogen synthase (GS) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) was analyzed in seven athletes and eight control subjects who were characterized using the euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic (2 mU.kg-1.min-1) clamp technique in combination with indirect calorimetry and biopsy sampling of vastus lateralis muscle. In the basal state, total GS activity and half-maximal GS activation by glucose 6-phosphate (G-6-P) were respectively 34% (P < 0.03) and 50% (P < 0.005) higher in athletes than in control subjects. In parallel, GS mRNA/microgram total RNA in athletes was 40% (P < 0.005) higher. No difference in GS immunoreactive protein abundance was found between the groups. PFK activity and protein levels were respectively 15% (P < 0.05) and 20% (P < 0.02) lower in athletes, whereas no differences was found in the level of PFK mRNA. After 4 h of hyperinsulinemia, total glucose disposal rate (P < 0.005) and both nonoxidative (P < 0.02) and oxidative (P < 0.03) glucose metabolism were significantly higher in athletes. In parallel, after hyperinsulinemia, the relative activation of GS by G-6-P was significantly higher in athletes, whereas total activity and gene expression of both GS and PFK were unaffected by insulin. We conclude that athletes have increased whole body insulin-stimulated nonoxidative glucose metabolism associated with both pretranslational (mRNA) and posttranslational (enzyme activity) upregulation of GS. However, the immunoreactive mass of GS is normal, emphasizing that posttranslational regulation of the GS protein activity is important for the increased glycogen synthesis rate of muscle in endurance-trained individuals.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Pulmonary function in young and older athletes and untrained men.

This study compared the lung volumes and pulmonary functions of older endurance-trained athletes with those of healthy sedentary age-matched controls, young athletes, and young untrained men to determine whether training affects the age-associated changes in these variables. Despite large differences in maximal 02 consumption (VO2max), the older athletes and their sedentary peers had similar values for all pulmonary variables when expressed as absolute values. However, because the older athletes were shorter than the older sedentary men, their vital capacity, total lung capacity (TLC), and forced expiratory volume in 1 s were significantly larger than those of the older sedentary men when normalized for age and height; the average values for maximal voluntary ventilation and residual volume (RV) were also larger in the older athletes when normalized for age and height, but the differences were not significant. The young trained and untrained men did not differ in any of these measures. TLC was the only pulmonary variable that was the same in the young and older men; RV and the RV-to-TLC ratio were larger, whereas all other pulmonary function and volume measures were lower in the older men compared with the younger men. The older athletes were the only group whose lung volumes and pulmonary function measures were all, except for RV, substantially greater than expected based on their age and height. Thus prolonged strenuous endurance training in these older highly trained endurance athletes appears to have altered the decline in pulmonary function and volumes associated with aging.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Comparative prevalence of asthma in different groups of athletes: a survey.

BACKGROUND: The type of air predominantly inhaled during training seems to play an important role in the development of airway hyperresponsiveness in athletes; however, this factor has not been evaluated for asthma. OBJECTIVE AND PATIENTS: To compare the prevalence of self-reported and/or physician-diagnosed asthma among four groups of athletes categorized according to the type of air predominantly inhaled during training: cold air (n=176), dry air (n=384), humid air (n=95), and mixed dry and humid air (n=43). METHOD: Self-administrated questionnaires were used. RESULTS: One hundred seven (15.3%) of the 698 athletes reported having asthma; of these 107 athletes, 92 had physician-diagnosed asthma. No significant differences were found for the prevalence of asthma: 15.9% (cold air), 15.4% (dry air), 12.6% (humid air) and 18.6% (mixed dry and humid air), respectively (P>0.05). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed among the groups for the prevalence of confirmed atopy, cold/flu or respiratory infections (all P>0.05), except for the prevalence of hay fever, which was significantly lower among athletes of the dry air group (P=0.04). Athletes having a first-degree relative with asthma did not have a higher prevalence of asthma than those who did not (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of asthma was not significantly different among the four groups of athletes and it was not associated with a family history of asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Sudden death in young athletes.

The causes of sudden and unexpected death in 29 highly conditioned, competitive athletes, ages 13-30 years, are summarized. Sudden death occurred during or just after severe exertion on the athletic field in 22 of the 29 athletes. Structural cardiovascular abnormalities were identified at necropsy in 28 of the 29 athletes (97%), and in 22 (76%) were almost certainly the cause of death. The most common cause of death in this series was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which was present in 14 athletes. Other cardiovascular abnormalities that occurred in more than one athlete were anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the right (anterior) sinus of Valsalva, idiopathic concentric left ventricular hypertrophy, coronary heart disease and ruptured aorta. Cardiac disease was suspected during life in only seven of the 29 patients, and in only two of the seven was the correct diagnosis made clinically. Hence, in this series of young athletes, sudden death was usually due to structural cardiovascular disease, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was a frequent cause of sudden death; atherosclerotic coronary heart disease was relatively uncommon.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Normal ultrasonic myocardial reflectivity in athletes with increased left ventricular mass. A tissue characterization study.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonic integrated backscatter of myocardial walls is directly related to the morphometrically evaluated collagen content. The integrated backscatter is also increased in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, probably because of fiber disarray. The purpose of this study was to investigate myocardial tissue reflectivity in subjects with physiological hypertrophy caused by intense physical training and to assess the relation between the acoustic properties of myocardial tissue and left ventricular wall thickness assessed by conventional two-dimensional echocardiography. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-four young male athletes (14 professional cyclists and 10 weight lifters, all in full agonistic activity) were studied together with 10 normal age-matched controls with sedentary life. By means of a commercially available two-dimensional echocardiograph, standard measurements were obtained according to the recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography. With a prototype implemented in our Institute, an on-line radiofrequency analysis of ultrasound signals was also performed to obtain quantitative operator-independent measurements of the integrated backscatter of the myocardial walls. The integrated values of the radiofrequency signal were normalized for the pericardial interface and expressed in percent integrated backscatter (%IB). Compared with control subjects, athletes showed greater thickness values of septum (controls, 9 +/- 1; cyclists, 14 +/- 2; weight lifters, 15 +/- 1 mm, mean +/- SD; p less than 0.01) and posterior wall (9 +/- 1, 12 +/- 2, and 12 +/- 1 mm, respectively; p less than 0.01) but similar values of %IB for both septum (23 +/- 4%, 21 +/- 7%, and 23 +/- 8%, p = NS) and posterior wall (10 +/- 2%, 9 +/- 2%, and 11 +/- 2%, p = NS). In athletes, no correlation was found between septal and posterior wall thickness and the corresponding regional myocardial reflectivity (r = 0.23, p = NS and r = 0.01, p = NS, respectively). Furthermore, we compared the quantitative ultrasonic data between two subsets of 10 athletes and 10 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and similar degrees of septal thickness (16 +/- 1 versus 17 +/- 1 mm, respectively, p = NS). Septal and posterior wall %IB results were significantly higher in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (53 +/- 13% and 36 +/- 9%, respectively) than in athletes (21 +/- 7% and 10 +/- 3%, respectively; p less than 0.01 for both). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that 1) endurance athletes show a normal pattern of quantitatively assessed ultrasonic backscatter despite of a marked left ventricular hypertrophy and 2) athletes and patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and similar degrees of myocardial wall thickness can be differentiated on the basis of quantitative analysis of backscattered signal.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Remodeling of left ventricular hypertrophy in elite athletes after long-term deconditioning.

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance and long-term consequences of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy associated with intensive athletic conditioning remain unresolved. METHODS AND RESULTS: We prospectively evaluated 40 elite male athletes who had shown marked LV cavity enlargement of > or = 60 mm, wall thickness of > or = 13 mm, or both in a longitudinal fashion with serial echocardiograms, initially at peak training (age 24 +/- 4 years) and subsequently after a long-term deconditioning period (1 to 13 years; mean, 5.6 +/- 3.8). After detraining, LV cavity dimension decreased by 7% (61.2 +/- 2.9 to 57.2 +/- 3.1 mm; P<0.001), maximum wall thickness by 15% (12.0 +/- 1.3 to 10.1 +/- 0.8 mm; P<0.001), and mass normalized to height by 28% (194 +/- 25 to 140 +/- 21 g/m; P<0.001). However, individual subject analysis showed persistent substantial cavity dilatation (> or = 60 mm) in 9 athletes (22%); in contrast, wall thickness returned to normal in each athlete. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that approximately 50% of the incomplete reduction in cavity dimension was explained by increased body weight and recreational physical activity performed during the follow-up period. No athlete had developed cardiac symptoms, impaired exercise performance, or evidence of LV dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: LV remodeling was evident after long-term detraining, with significant reduction in cavity size and normalization of wall thickness. Resolution of cavity enlargement was, however, incomplete in most cases, and substantial chamber dilatation persisted in >20% of athletes. The possibility that this residual LV hypertrophy, apparently part of the athlete's heart syndrome, may have future long-term clinical implications in some individuals cannot be excluded with certainty.

Adaptation, Physiological↗
PubMed1982

The orthogonal Frank electrocardiogram in 70 well-trained athletes.

Interpretation of the vectorcardiogram in athletes requires normal values based on quantitatively analyzed data obtained in large groups of athletes. Frank electrocardiograms of extensively trained white athletes aged 23 +/- 5 years were analyzed by computer. Different sport disciplines were included. Tables are provided describing the results for the complete group of 70 athletes (A), respectively indicating the difference between 27 footballers (F) and 16 endurance athletes (E). A critical comparison with two control groups is also discussed, as for other purposes, vectorcardiograms had been collected in healthy non-trained young men, respectively 68 medical students (MS) and 63 nurse students (NS). The following figures may serve as an example to illustrate the difficulty of constituting and using similar normal limits in athletes: mean QRS spatial maximal amplitude (mV.) was respectively 1.82 (MS), 2.03 (NS), 2.17 (A), 1.97 (E), 2.29 (F). It can often be hazardous to attribute certain deviations of electrocardiological measurements to training effects in the athlete.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Long-term prognosis for jumper's knee in male athletes. A prospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Little information is available on the long-term outcome of jumper's knee, a common problem among athletes. PURPOSE: Our aim was to determine the 15-year prognosis of jumper's knee. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case control. METHODS: The prognosis for jumper's knee was studied using two groups: athletes with jumper's knee and nonsymptomatic control athletes. At baseline, all subjects participated in standardized clinical examinations and measurements, and 15 years later they were asked to respond to a questionnaire. RESULTS: Twenty athletes with jumper's knee and 16 athlete control subjects responded (response rate 74% and 84%, respectively). The jumper's knee group reported significantly more knee symptoms according to their Kujala score and more knee pain after repeated squatting. Fifty-three percent of the subjects in the jumper's knee group (9 of 17) reported that they had quit their sports career because of their knee problem, compared with 7% of the control athletes (1 of 14). Patellar height was associated with knee symptoms at follow-up. CONCLUSION: Jumper's knee causes mild but long-lasting symptoms after an athletic career.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Repair of pars interarticularis defect by segmental wire fixation in young athletes with spondylolysis.

BACKGROUND: Although segmental wire fixation has been successful in the treatment of nonathletes with spondylolysis, no information exists on the results of this type of surgery in athletes. PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcome of surgical repair of pars interarticularis defect by segmental wire fixation in young athletes with lumbar spondylolysis. METHODS: Between 1993 and 2000, 20 athletes (6 women and 14 men; average age, 23.7) with lumbar spondylolysis were treated surgically with this technique. They were actively engaged in sports such as baseball, tennis, and golf. Nineteen athletes had one level of spondylolysis and one athlete had two levels. The level of spondylolysis was L4 in 2 athletes and L5 in 19. The average follow-up period was 3.5 years (range, 1.3 to 8.6). Surgical outcome was evaluated by radiographic examination, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, preoperative and postoperative sports activity levels and intensities, and the presence of complications. RESULTS: Bony fusion at the site of spondylolysis was obtained in all cases, and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score was increased significantly after surgery (preoperatively, 21.2 +/- 3.9; postoperatively, maximum 27.7 +/- 1.0; recovery rate, 80.4%). All of the patients returned to their sports activities, although at varying degrees. No severe complications were noted. CONCLUSION: We recommend this technique in cases of lumbar spondylolysis in athletes who hope to resume their sports activities.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Assessment of shoulder proprioception in the female softball athlete.

BACKGROUND: There have been reports of overhand throwing athletes having decreased joint position sense in their dominant shoulder as compared with the nondominant shoulder. Very little research, however, exists concerning joint position sense in the female athlete. HYPOTHESIS: Female softball athletes have decreased joint position sense in their dominant shoulder as compared with their nondominant shoulder. STUDY DESIGN: Factorial design with investigation of multiple independent variables. METHODS: Joint position sense was assessed in 50 female softball players and 50 nonthrowing female athletes by using an inclinometer during four glenohumeral joint motions. Both the dominant and nondominant shoulders were assessed and error scores were calculated to describe joint position sense. Data were collected during the course of a fall semester and analyzed by using a mixed model analysis of variance with repeated measures on the dependent variable (error scores). RESULTS: A significant group by movement interaction was observed, with the softball athletes demonstrating significantly greater external rotation error scores than the nonthrowing athletes. CONCLUSION: We failed to reject the null hypothesis. Increased error scores (less joint position sense) were observed in both arms of subjects in the softball group. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study suggests that there is decreased shoulder proprioception in asymptomatic female athletes involved in overyhand throwing sports, which may predispose them to injury.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Risk factors for noncontact ankle sprains in high school athletes: the role of hip strength and balance ability.

BACKGROUND: Ankle sprains are among the most common sports injuries. HYPOTHESIS: Poor balance as measured on a balance board and weakness in hip abduction strength are associated with an increased risk of noncontact ankle sprains in high school athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: One hundred sixty-nine high school athletes (101 male athletes, 68 female athletes) from football, men's basketball, men's soccer, women's gymnastics, women's basketball, and women's soccer were observed for 2 years. Balance in single-limb stance on an instrumented tilt board and hip flexion, abduction, and adduction strength (handheld dynamometer) were assessed in the preseason. Body mass, height, generalized ligamentous laxity, previous ankle sprains, and ankle tape or brace use were also documented. RESULTS: There were 20 noncontact inversion ankle sprains. Balance ability (P = .72), hip abduction strength (P = .66), hip adduction strength (P = .41), and hip flexion strength (P = .87) were not significant risk factors for ankle sprains. The incidence of grade II and grade III sprains was higher in athletes with a history of a previous ankle sprain (1.12 vs 0.26 per 1000 exposures, P < .05). A higher body mass index in male athletes was associated with increased risk (P < .05). The combination of a previous injury and being overweight further increased risk (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Balance as measured on a balance board and hip strength were not significant indicators for noncontact ankle sprains. The apparent high injury risk associated with the combination of a history of a previous ankle sprain and being overweight in male athletes warrants further examination.

Adolescent↗