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 1,441 records · Page 80Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

The college student-athlete: psychological considerations and interventions.

This article reviews the literature dealing with problems brought by student-athletes to college counseling and mental health centers. Among the issues discussed are fear of success; identity conflict; social isolation; poor athletic performance; academic problems; and career or vocational concerns. In addition, the authors examine the paradox that although athletes experience as much or more psychological distress as nonathletes, research indicates that athletes use professional services less often than nonathletes. Finally, the authors review approaches to psychological intervention, including short-term psychotherapy, very brief interventions, cognitive behavioral therapy, and career/vocational counseling, and discuss special considerations for conducting therapy with athletes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Binge drinking, tobacco, and illicit drug use and involvement in college athletics. A survey of students at 140 American colleges.

Binge drinking (heavy, episodic alcohol consumption), tobacco, and illicit drug use among a random sample of 140 American colleges were examined by means of a mail survey. Students were divided into three groups on the basis of their involvement in athletics: whether they were involved, partly involved, or not involved. In addition, individual correlates of binge drinking among athletically involved students were studied. The survey results indicated that students involved in college athletics engaged in binge drinking and tobacco more often than students not involved in athletics, but were less likely to be cigarette smokers or marijuana users. The strongest predictors of binge drinking among students involved in athletics were residence in a fraternity or a sorority, a party lifestyle, engagement in other risky behaviors, and previous binging in high school. Coaches may play an important role in discouraging substance use and need to be a part of campus prevention efforts.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Problem and pathological gambling among college athletes.

BACKGROUND: Problematic gambling is common in college students, and in particular, athletes. METHODS: The frequency of problem and pathological gambling was determined among 636 college athletes at three Midwest universities using the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS). The Gambling Attitude Scale (GAS) was used to assess college athletes' attitudes toward gambling in general and toward four modes of gambling (casinos, betting on horse races, lottery and the Internet). A profile of college athletes' gambling attitudes and behavior was developed through the data obtained from each of these instruments. RESULTS: Nearly 15% of respondents had a SOGS score >or=3, indicating problem or pathological gambling. Those at risk for a gambling problem gambled frequently, had family and/or friends with perceived gambling problems, were nonwhite, older, started gambling at a younger age, preferred games of skill, and held positive attitudes toward gambling in general and Internet gambling, in particular. CONCLUSIONS: Gambling problems are widespread among college athletes who constitute a vulnerable group. Specific interventions are needed to target this group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Beliefs and social norms about ephedra onset and perceived addiction among college male and female athletes.

In Spring 2003, a qualitative approach was used to investigate relevant beliefs and norms associated with ephedra initiation and perceived addiction to the drug among 43 primarily minority athletes, attending a historically Black university in the southwestern region of the United States, who self-identified as past users. In general, participants stated that their second ephedra use event occurred on the same day as or the day after initiation. The majority of participants perceived that addiction was established by routine and eccentric behavior. Male athletes stated they used ephedra for improved athletic performance while females stated they used the drug for weight loss. Male participants stated it is difficult to quit ephedra use because of the resulting decrease in athletic performance, sickness, and weight gain. Female athletes were more concerned with their appearance. These findings are important in determining the early extent to which addiction is self-identified.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Differentiation of athlete's heart from pathological forms of cardiac hypertrophy by means of geometric indices derived from cardiovascular magnetic resonance.

PURPOSE: Determination of the underlying etiology of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common, challenging, and critical clinical problem. The authors aimed to test whether pathological LVH, such as occurs in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), hypertensive heart disease, or aortic stenosis, and physiological LVH in athletes, can be distinguished by means of left ventricular volume and geometric indices, derived from cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. METHODS: A total of 120 subjects were studied on a 1.5 Tesla MR (Sonata, Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlangen, Germany) scanner, comprising healthy volunteers (18), competitive athletes (25), patients with HCM (35), aortic stenosis (24), and hypertensive heart disease (18). Left ventricular mass index, ejection fraction, end-diastolic, end-systolic and stroke volume index, diastolic wall thickness, wall thickness ratio and diastolic and systolic wall-to-volume ratios were determined. RESULTS: Left ventricular (LV) mass indices were similar for all forms of LVH (p > 0.05), which were at least 35% higher than those obtained in healthy volunteers (p < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression showed that the percentage of correctly predicted diagnoses was 100% for athlete's heart, 80% for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 54% for aortic stenosis, and 22% for hypertensive heart disease. Using a receiver operating curve-determined cut-off value for diastolic wall-to-volume ratio of less than 0.15 mm x m2 x ml(-1), athletes' hearts could be differentiated from all forms of pathological cardiac hypertrophy with 99% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Athlete's heart can be reliably distinguished from all forms of pathological cardiac hypertrophy using CMR-derived LV volume and geometric indices, but pathological forms of LVH present with overlapping cardiac hypertrophy phenotypes. This capability of CMR should be of high clinical value.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Substrate oxidation and energy expenditure in athletes and nonathletes consuming isoenergetic high- and low-fat diets.

Changes in substrate oxidation with isoenergetic high-carbohydrate (HC) and high-fat (HF) diets in male nonathletic subjects, aerobically trained athletes, and weight-trained athletes were examined in a crossover study. A whole-room respiration chamber was used to measure 24-h energy expenditure (EE) and substrate oxidation with control, HC, or HF diets for 7 d. The nonathletic group had higher 24-h EE (P < 0.05), exercise EE (P < 0.03), and resting metabolic rate (P < 0.04) than did the aerobically trained athletes when these measurements were corrected for lean body mass. Fat oxidation was significantly correlated with lean body mass and diet. However, athletic status had no effect on substrate oxidation. Carbohydrate oxidation across groups increased acutely by 23% after 24 h of the HC diet (P < 0.0001). Carbohydrate balance increased significantly over time with the HC diet (P < 0.002) and decreased acutely after return to the control diet (P < 0.0001). With the HF diet, carbohydrate balance increased and was significantly different from balance with the control diet by day 7 (P < 0.03). Fat balance decreased significantly with both the HF (P < 0.04) and HC (P = 0.0075) diets by day 7. Carbohydrate oxidation correlated with carbohydrate intake with both the control (r = 0.61, P < 0.01) and HC diets (r = 0.59, P < 0.02), but not the HF diet. Fat oxidation was not correlated with fat intake. In conclusion, substrate oxidation in a respiration chamber is significantly affected by diet, but not by prior athletic training.

Basal Metabolism↗
PubMed1992

Neural regulation of heart rate variability in endurance athletes and sedentary controls.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to examine the cardiac autonomic responses to orthostatic stress and recovery from steady state exercise in endurance trained athletes and sedentary subjects. METHODS: The power spectrum of heart rate variability was measured before and after exercise in 10 male long distance runners and 14 male sedentary control subjects. Both groups were comparable in sex, age, and body mass index. Continuous ECG recordings were obtained during the following physiological manoeuvres: 45 min supine rest state; 10 min standing; 15 min steady state exercise at 50% maximum workload, and 15 min while supine during post-exercise recovery. The resting heart rate of athletes was lower than controls, at 52(SD 4.9) v 67(8.7) beats.min-1, p < 0.001. Power spectrum analysis was performed using autoregressive modelling. RESULTS: The resting high frequency (HF) vagal component was higher in athletes than controls, at 62 (10.7) v 44(22.4) beats.min-1.Hz-1, p < 0.05. The resting low frequency (LF) peak power was significantly reduced in athletes, at 54(9.9) v 70(19.5) in control, p < 0.05. Although no group differences were observed during upright posture or exercise, the LF:HF area ratio had already returned to pre-exercise levels within 5 min of recovery in athletes. Conversely, it required up to 15 min of recovery before a noticeable decrease in the LF:HF area ratio was seen in controls. CONCLUSIONS: These data support the hypothesis that endurance training modifies heart rate control in whole or in part through neurocardiac mechanisms.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Sudden cardiac death in athletes.

Sudden death in athletes is a rare but tragic occurrence. Congenital cardiovascular abnormalities, usually asymptomatic and often undiagnosed during life, are the main causes in young athletes. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and congenital coronary anomalies are the most commonly occurring disorders. Idiopathic concentric left ventricular hypertrophy (non-physiological), arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia and Marfan's syndrome with aortic rupture have also been implicated. Rarer causes include mitral valve prolapse and myocarditis. Coronary atherosclerosis is the major cause in older, and occasionally in younger athletes. Those involved in the medical care of athletes should be aware of the potential causes of sudden death in these groups. Symptomatic athletes should be fully investigated. Screening programmes are probably not justified on a cost effective basis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Echocardiographic right and left ventricular measurements in male elite endurance athletes.

Echocardiography was used to assess normal values in the right and left ventricular cavity and wall in 127 male elite endurance athletes. M-mode and two dimensional measurements of left ventricle and left and right atria were also obtained. All subjects were high-performance orienteers, cross-country skiers and middle-distance runners. They all had a normal electrocardiogram at rest and no echocardiographic evidence of heart disease. With the use of multiple right ventricular cross-sections and two-dimensional measurements, we found a significantly greater right ventricular inflow tract and right and left atrial measurements in endurance athletes compared with earlier studies of normal, active subjects. The right ventricular free wall was slightly thicker than reported in normal active subjects but the differences were small. Left ventricular diastolic diameter was consistent with previous reports of endurance athletes. Of the 127 subjects, 13% had left ventricular wall thickness above 13 mm but none of the athletes had wall thickness above 15 mm. These data suggest that cardiac enlargement occurs symmetrically in both right and left cavities, probably reflecting increased haemodynamic loading, a mechanism by which athletes sustain a high cardiac output during exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

The athlete, cocaine, and lactic acidosis: a hypothesis.

The muscular makeup of the sprint-trained athlete may make him especially susceptible to severe lactic acidosis from cocaine-induced seizures. Because of a high percentage of glycolytic muscle fibers (compared to the muscle fiber type of the endurance-trained athlete), the lactic acidosis and heat generated from muscular activity is much greater in the sprint-trained athlete than in the endurance-trained athlete. The role of cocaine in producing seizures and increasing glycolysis, both of which produce lactic acidosis, is discussed. The hypothesis is presented that the elite athlete may be at greater risk of death than the general population from lactic acidosis produced as a result of cocaine-induced seizures.

Acidosis, Lactic↗
PubMed1996

Sacral stress fractures in athletes.

Low back and buttock pain in runners can be a source of frustration for the athlete and a diagnostic dilemma for the physician. The authors reported on 3 cases of sacral stress fractures in women athletes, all of which initially presented as low back and/or buttock pain. Sacral stress fractures have been increasingly recognized as a potential cause of these symptoms, especially in young athletes. Because plain radiograph findings are typically normal, the diagnosis is best made with bone scintigraphy. Computed tomography is indicated if there is concern about neoplasm and to evaluate healing of the fracture. If treated with rest, most of these fractures heal and the athlete can return to previous sports activity. The treating physician should be suspicious of this injury among running athletes reporting sacral and buttock pain that does not respond to treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

MRI of the athletic knee. Findings in asymptomatic professional basketball and collegiate football players.

For the dedicated athlete in whom minor injuries are frequent and major injuries relatively common, a noninvasive knee assessment could either obviate the need for arthroscopy or focus its direction. The opportunity to study asymptomatic athletes was not feasible before the advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this preliminary work, we examined 40 knees in 20 asymptomatic volunteer athletes, including five professional basketball players and 15 collegiate football players. Images were obtained at 0.5 T or 1.5 T. Spin echo sequences were used to obtain 5.0 mm thick coronal and sagittal sections. Fifty percent of asymptomatic athletes (10/20) had significant baseline MRI abnormalities that could have adversely affected scan interpretation in the context of an acute injury. Half of these athletes with MRI abnormalities, or 25% of the total (5/20), had no previous surgery and were unaware of significant injury.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Left ventricular function during exercise in athletes and in sedentary men.

Aim of this study was to evaluate left ventricular function during exercise in 10 male elite runners and in 10 sedentary males. End-diastolic (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV), left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), early peak transmitral flow velocity (peak E), time-velocity integral of mitral inflow (m-TVI); mitral cross sectional area (m-CSA); mitral stroke volume (SV), and cardiac output (CO) were measured by echo-Doppler. We simultaneously analyzed: VO2max by spirometric method, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) by sphygmomanometer, and heart rate (HR) by ECG. The parameters were measured under basal conditions (level 1), at 50% of maximal aerobic capacity (level 2), at peak of exercise (level 3) and during recovery. Ejection fraction in athletes increased significantly at peak of exercise through Frank-Starling mechanism. Stroke volume and cardiac output increased significantly in athletes at peak of exercise. Left ventricular diastolic function was superior in athletes versus controls: in fact, higher peak E in athletes enhanced early diastolic ventricular filling. Therefore, the athletes showed complex cardiovascular adjustments induced by training, which allowed an higher peak working power, a greater cardiac output, and VO2max when compared with an untrained control population.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Influence of a beta2-agonist on physical performance at low temperature in elite athletes.

Beta2-agonists are frequently used by elite cross-country skiers, a group of athletes with a high prevalence of asthma. It has been claimed that beta2-agonists have a positive effect on physical performance. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether inhalation of a beta2-agonist increases physical performance at low temperature in healthy, nonasthmatic athletes with normal bronchial responsiveness. Twenty elite male athletes (cyclists, cross-country skiers, middle and long distance runners) with no history of allergy or airway disease and who had normal spirometry and methacholine bronchial provocation tests performed a maximal exercise test on a treadmill in a climate chamber at approximately 10 degrees C on two subsequent days. Before exercise they inhaled terbutaline (3 mg from MDI) or placebo in a randomized, single blind manner. After 10-min warm-up on the treadmill, a submaximal work preceded a stepwise increase of the workload until exhaustion. Lung function, ventilation, oxygen uptake, and heart rate were determined and blood samples for lactate and potassium analyses were drawn before, during, and after exercise. Terbutaline induced a significant bronchodilatation; FEV1 increased from 4.8 (4.4-5.1) L to 5.0 (4.6-5.4) L, mean (95% CI). There were no significant differences between the two treatments with regard to exercise time, 25.1 (24.3-25.8) min vs 24.9 (24.1-25.6) min, oxygen uptake and ventilation during exercise, or heart rate at maximal workload. Terbutaline induced an increase in serum lactate concentration but did not influence the lactate response to exercise. The serum potassium increase was attenuated at low workload but not at maximal work. The postexercise decrease in serum potassium concentration was significantly greater after terbutaline (-0.52 (-0.29 to -0.76) mmol x L-1) than after placebo (-0.13 (0.06 to -0.32) mmol x L-1 (P < 0.001). We conclude that inhalation of a beta2-agonist (terbutaline) in a dose that yields significant bronchodilatation does not influence physical performance at low temperature in healthy athletes. Acute inhalation of the beta2-agonist amplified the postexercise hypokalemia, a finding of unclear significance. Although there is a slight bronchodilatation and potential negative airways effect of cold air inhalation, a beta2-agonist does not increase physical performance in top athletes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Urine osmolality and conductivity as indices of hydration status in athletes in the heat.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine a quick and easy method for assessment of day-to-day hydration status in athletes in the heat. METHODS: Measurement of the osmolality of the first urine sample of the day collected after wakening but before breakfast established a standardized collection procedure to allow day-to-day comparisons of individuals. RESULTS: Laboratory measurements established that a difference in osmolality is found when individuals are dehydrated by a moderate extent in comparison with an euhydrated situation: the osmolality of the first morning urine sample of control subjects (N = 11) averaged over 5 d was 675 (+/- 232) mosmol.kg-1 (mean +/- SD). For subjects who were hypohydrated by exercise followed by fluid restriction, morning urine osmolality was 924 (+/- 99) mosmol.kg-1 (P < 0.001, N = 11, averaged over 7 d). Field measurements from 29 athletes undertaking warm weather training indicated that the athletes could, with appropriate feedback, maintain a satisfactory hydration status. Athletes in weight category sports tended to record a higher morning urine osmolality, reflecting their attempts to dehydrate: recorded values were 627 (+/- 186) mosmol.kg-1 (nonweight category sports, N = 8), 775 (+/- 263) mosmol.kg-1 (boxers, N = 15) and 777 (+/- 254) mosmol.kg-1 (wrestlers, N = 6). Results obtained with a hand-held portable conductivity were compared with those from measured osmolality. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that such an instrument could provide athletes with reliable information as to their hydration status from measurement of the first morning urine of the day and therefore provide a quick and easy method for achieving an approximation of hydration status from day-to-day.

Body Water↗
PubMed1999

Effects of erythropoietin administration in training athletes and possible indirect detection in doping control.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of repeated subcutaneous injection of rHuEpo (50 IU x kg(-1)) in athletes and proposes a method based on the measurement in blood samples of the sTfR/serum protein ratio to determine if the observed values of this marker are related to rHuEpo abuse. METHODS: Serum erythropoietin concentrations, and hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated, during treatment and for 25 d posttreatment in nine training athletes. Moreover, the effect of rHuEpo administrations on the maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and ventilatory threshold (VT) of these athletes was also studied. Threshold values for sTfr and the sTfr/serum protein ratio were determined from 233 subjects (185 athletes, 15 athletes training at moderately high altitude, and 33 subjects living at >3000 m). RESULTS: Significant changes in reticulocytes, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, hematocrit (Hct), sTfr, and sTfr/serum proteins were observed during and after rHuEpo treatment. The maximal heart rate of 177 beats x min(-1) at the beginning of the study was significantly higher than the value of 168 beats x min(-1) after 26 d of rHuEpo administration. Compared with the values measured at baseline, the VT measured after rHuEpo administration occurred at a statistically significant high level of oxygen uptake. CONCLUSIONS: When oxygen uptake measured at the VT was expressed as a percentage of V02 max, the values obtained were also significantly higher. The increased values of Tfr and sTfr/serum proteins, respectively, above 10 microg x mL(-1) and 153, indicated the probable intake of rHuEpo.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Left ventricular wall motion during diastolic filling in endurance-trained athletes.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess left ventricular (LV) wall motion in highly endurance-trained athletes to evaluate LV diastolic function in physiologically hypertrophied hearts. BACKGROUND: Diastolic filling dynamics have previously been examined in endurance-trained athletes by measuring pulsed-wave mitral inflow velocities during the early and atrial filling phase, indicating an unimpaired LV function. Assessment of LV wall motion may give additional information about the LV diastolic function in endurance-trained athletes. METHODS: Left ventricular mass (LVM) and volume (LVV) were determined by M-mode echocardiography. Peak LV wall motion in the region of the basal septum close to the mitral anulus were measured during the early rapid and atrial filling phase by tissue Doppler in 30 endurance-trained athletes (T) and 16 sedentary control subjects (C) presumed to be healthy. RESULTS: Myocardial LVM and LVV in T (LVM 159.4 +/- 18.0 g.m(-2), LVV 100.4 +/- 13.0 mL.m(-2)) were significantly higher than in C (LVM 105.7 +/- 12.0.m(-2), LVV 70.1 +/- 11.9 mL.m(-2)), and heart rate (HR) was significantly lower (HR C: 69.6 +/- 11.0 bpm, T 50.9 +/- 8.7 bpm),which is consistent with endurance training (P < 0.01 for both). Peak LV wall motion during the early rapid filling phase did not differ significantly between the groups (T: 10.69 +/- 1.46 cm.(s-)1; C: 10.61 +/- 1.52 cm.(s-)1). Peak atrial wall motion was significantly lower in T (4.53 +/- 0.84 cm.s-1) versus C (5.74 +/- 0.75 cm.s(-1)), and the ratio of peak early diastolic to atrial wall motion was consequently higher in athletes (P < 0.01 for both). CONCLUSION: Regional wall motion at the basal septum near the mitral anulus during the early rapid filling phase is not altered by an increase in LVM or LVV when associated with endurance training.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Response to a fluid load in athletes with a history of exercise induced hyponatremia.

PURPOSE: To determine whether athletes who had previously developed hyponatremia during an ultradistance triathlon show an impaired ability to excrete a large fluid load compared with athletes who had completed the same race without developing hyponatremia. METHODS: Six athletes who had developed hyponatremia ([Na] < 135 mmol x L(-1)) in the 1997 Ironman Triathlon (study cases) were compared with six athletes who completed the same race without hyponatremia (controls). All participants consumed 3.4 L of water over 2 h at rest. Weight, urine output, urine electrolytes, serum [Na(+)], hemoglobin, and hematocrit were measured every 30 min. Changes in plasma volume and residual fluid volume in the gut were estimated from these data. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between cases and controls in any parameters measured. Maximal rates of urine production (+/- SD) (1043 +/- 331 mL x h(-1) for cases, 878 +/- 168 mL x h(-1) for controls) were substantially behind the rate of fluid intake (1500 mL x h(-1)). Consequent to fluid retention, serum [Na(+)] fell progressively in both groups. Five cases and four controls developed hyponatremia. There was an inverse correlation between change in body weight and change in [Na(+)] (r = -0.67). Estimated changes in the intra- and extra-cellular fluid volumes could account for all the retained fluid, and there was little evidence for fluid accumulation in the bowel. CONCLUSION: When evaluated at rest, there does not appear to be any unique pathophysiological characteristic that explains why some athletes develop hyponatremia in response to fluid overload during prolonged exercise. Rather, hyponatremia was induced with equal effect in both cases and controls, consequent to progressive fluid overload of all the body fluid compartments and without evidence for fluid retention in the small bowel.

Adult↗